WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management today recognized the winners of the 2018 “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Awards.  These awards acknowledge the winners’ exceptional volunteer service on BLM-managed public lands in 2017.  This year’s awardees were honored during a ceremony that connected winners across the country via video teleconferences at BLM offices in several states and in Washington, D.C.  

“Through the years, volunteers on our public lands have ensured that Teddy Roosevelt’s ideal – the American conservation ethic – would endure,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “The BLM volunteers being celebrated today are champions of this conservation ethic, and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary efforts.”

In 2017, more than 28,000 volunteers contributed nearly 1 million hours of service valued at close to $23 million. The annual "Making a Difference" Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands.  These hard-working volunteers have helped the BLM monitor trails, manage wild horses, keep campers safe, and provide environmental education, interpretation, and other visitor services.

The 2018 awardees and their BLM nominating offices are:

·         Pat & Phyllis Malato, Outstanding Achievement, Upper Snake Field Office (Idaho)

·         Susan Murphy, Outstanding Achievement, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation

Area (Nevada)

·         Miranda & Madison Dickinson, Outstanding Youth, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (Wyoming)

·         Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary, Group Excellence, Little Snake Field Office (Colorado)

·         David & Jane Styer, Lifetime Achievement, Fort Ord National Monument (California)

·         Sandra & Geoff Freethey, Lifetime Achievement, Moab Field Office (Utah)

·         Laura Olais, Employee Winner, Gila District Office (Arizona)

A national panel of BLM specialists and partner organization representatives selected the winners for their exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands. 

For more information, please contact Linda Schnee, BLM National Volunteer Program Lead, at 202-912-7453 or lschnee@blm.gov. 

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.

The previously reported missing student has been found safe. 

MEDIA NOTE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2018 

The United States is pleased to announce the start of negotiations with Canada to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime on May 29-30, 2018, in Washington, D.C.  The 1964 Treaty’s flood risk and hydropower operations have provided substantial benefits to millions of people on both sides of the border.  The Treaty, a worldwide model for transboundary water cooperation, has also facilitated additional benefits such as supporting the river’s ecosystem, irrigation, municipal water use, industrial use, navigation, and recreation.  Modernizing the Treaty regime will ensure these benefits continue for years to come. 

As the United States enters these bilateral negotiations with our Canadian counterparts, our key objectives include continued, careful management of flood risk; ensuring a reliable and economical power supply; and better addressing ecosystem concerns.  Our objectives are guided by the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024, a consensus document published in 2013 after years of consultations among the Northwest’s Tribes, states, stakeholders, public, and federal agencies.

The U.S. negotiating team will be led by the U.S. Department of State and will include the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division (which together comprise the “U.S. Entity” that implements the Treaty in the United States); the Department of the Interior; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As negotiations proceed, the U.S. government will continue to engage regional stakeholders, Tribes, state government officials, and other interested groups.  For more information regarding upcoming Town Halls open to the public, please contact iaRiverTreaty@state.gov">ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov.  For press inquiries, please contact ess@state.gov">WHAPress@state.gov.

Everett, WA May 22, 2018:  NCA Robogators blue team was invited to attend the North American Open Championship 2018 held in LEGOLAND, CA. They were the only team to receive the Inspiration Award for Core Values. The team placed 7th out of 79 teams from around the world in the Robot Competition. A huge thank you to all the coaches, students and parents for their hard work and the hours that they have dedicated to the Robogators, Way to Go!

Aurora, Ore., May 22, 2018—Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States has released a new app called LFN Respond that allows hospitals and first responders to call for a life-saving air ambulance transport with the touch of a button. The tool, developed in partnership with dispatch software creator Flight Vector, saves valuable time when every second counts.

In emergency medicine, prompt medical attention can mean the difference between life and death.   The faster a patient gets to definitive care, the better their chance of survival. 

“With LFN Respond, approved hospital and emergency responders can instantly request a Life Flight Network aircraft by tapping the flight call button in the app, sending vital information and GPS location directly to dispatch personnel at our Communications Center,” said Life Flight Network CEO Michael Griffiths. “LFN Respond saves precious seconds and makes calling for air ambulance transport easier for hospitals and first responder teams working to save lives.”

The free app is designed for use by approved agencies to send activation requests to Life Flight Network. Those agencies include hospitals, first responders, fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, search and rescue, ski patrols, and other qualified agencies currently working with Life Flight Network. Life Flight Network’s service area covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The LFN Respond app provides additional functions including a searchable hospital directory, a landing zone guide, access to Life Flight Network’s calendar of outreach education trainings, and push notifications from Life Flight Network on education and training events. Once a flight call has been made using the app, users can view a real-time progress tracker that shows the aircraft’s location while en route and when it’s expected to arrive. LFN Respond integrates seamlessly with Life Flight Network’s computer-aided dispatch and flight tracking software.

“Life Flight Network’s investment in this technology will help us work together better and more efficiently to get people the emergency care they need, as quickly as possible,” said South Lane County Fire & Rescue Fire Chief John Wooten. “Especially in rural parts of our state, air medical transport is critical to saving lives and being able to communicate with Life Flight Network through LFN Respond will improve the process.”

LFN Respond is available on the Apple app store or Google Play to approved hospital and emergency response personnel. The app is also web-based for utilization by computer. Life Flight Network is inviting hospitals and first responders in its service area to register and start using LFN Respond. Hospitals and emergency response agencies in Life Flight Network’s service area interested in LFN Respond should contact their Life Flight Network Customer Service Manager, or call (503) 678-4364.  

Life Flight Network offers memberships for a $65 annual fee. Members incur no out-of-pocket expense if flown for medically necessary emergent conditions by Life Flight Network or one of their reciprocal partners. To request more information about the membership program, or if organizations would like an in-person presentation, they should contact the Life Flight Network membership office at 800-982-9299.

ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK

Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and the National Accreditation Alliance of Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA). Life Flight Network has administrative offices in Aurora, Oregon and is owned by a consortium of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and Providence Health System. Aviation services provided by: Life Flight Network and Jackson Jet Center, Inc. For more information about Life Flight Network or to become a member, visit www.lifeflight.org.