The Carrie Sparks Outstanding Service Award was established in 2017 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Holston Rivers Virginia Master Naturalist (HRVMN) chapter. Carrie was among the first members of the chapter and has devoted countless hours to learning about the natural world; particularly wild and edible plants. She has tirelessly shared her knowledge with all who wish to learn! The first award was given to Carrie to recognize her many hours of service and her excellence in research and education.

Winners:

2017 Carrie Sparks

2018 Tina Altizer

2019 Monica Hoel

2020-2021 No award due to COVID-19

2022 Doug Levin

2023 Barbara Umberger

Previous recipients of this honor have awarded money to federally permitted wildlife rehabilitators: All are God’s Creatures Sanctuary and Virginia Box Turtle Sanctuary as well as aquatic wildlife conservation.

Guidelines for choosing a recipient for the award are as follows:

1. A recipient of the Carrie Sparks Outstanding Service Award shall be chosen by the HRVMN Board of Directors.

2. The recipient is to be honored at the winter meeting and presented with a certificate. The award comes with a $100 cash prize given to an agency or project of the honoree’s choosing. The cash must go to an HRVMN-sanctioned agency, or project, or must fit the mission of the organization. The Board has the right to approve a recipient not listed among current service sites or projects.

3. The honoree must be someone who has shown remarkable service in education, citizen science, or stewardship of the natural world. The honoree should be a member in good standing of the HRVMN chapter.

Criteria for consideration may include:

a. Number of service hours

b. Commitment to scholarship within a specific field

c. Hours logged for citizen science

d. Completion of a remarkable project or event

e. Outstanding support of a partner agency

f. Longevity within the chapter