The National Park Service recently selected the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates as the 2015 Intermountain Region’s winner of the George and Helen Hartzog Award in the category of Outstanding Volunteer Group Service.

The Hartzog awards recognize individuals and groups that make exceptional contributions of their skills, talents and time to the National Park Service.

“We are proud that the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates were recognized as a leader within the region,” Glacier Park superintendent Jeff Mow said, “We greatly value the contributions they make to the park.”

GNPVA is an official nonprofit partner of Glacier Park and is made up of more than 100 volunteers. The group takes on projects that have insufficient funding or competing priorities.

During the summer, members help staff the Apgar Nature Center, the Apgar Visitor Center and the backcountry permit office. They also assist with various research projects in the Park, patrol backcountry trails and rivers, and assist with educational efforts at Logan Pass about responsible recreating near wildlife.

GNPVA in the past year donated about $7,000 toward remodeling and updating the Apgar Nature Center and provided more than $8,000 for the backcountry ranger intern program. They have sponsored backcountry interns and provided support to backcountry staff since 2008. The group also sponsors a high school student intern to assist with the Park’s native plant program and associated greenhouse activities at Columbia Falls High School.

GNPVA recently donated $18,000 to the Park through the Glacier National Park Conservancy, another official park partner, to rebuild the Goat Lick Overlook.

Made in honor of the GNPVA’s 25th anniversary, the donation will be used to replace handrails, posts, plank decking and foundation sub-structure at the overlook. GNPVA members also will assist with preparation and on-site construction when it takes place this fall.   

For more information on volunteering, visit online at http://gnpva.org.