Southern Regional Forester Honor Award
During a virtual ceremony held in December, several USDA Forest Service employees across the state of Palmetto received the Southern Regional Forester Award of Honor for their outstanding achievements in overcoming challenges and demonstrating a commitment to resilience and innovation. last year.
Francis Marion & Sumter (FMS) National Forest Safety Officer James Fowlkes, Jr. received the individual award “Creating a Safety Learning Culture” for creating a safer work environment for Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest employees.
Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests received “Distribution of benefits to the public”, together with partners from the SC Department of Natural Resources, employees Billy Downer, Ted Mikkelsenand team leader Francis Marion Ranger District Rhea Whalen for entering into an unfunded Challenge Cost Sharing Agreement to operate and maintain the Twin Ponds Rifle Range.
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests employee Jules DeFriese he was among the regional volunteers and the team of the Center for Service Excellence team group for “Fostering Volunteerism and Service”. Due to the pandemic, his team has successfully engaged in new partnership agreements with the AmeriCorps College Advising Corps program and the State Department Internship Program to complete an additional 32 virtual internships.
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests employees Paul Varnedoe and Geoff Holden were part of the COVID-19 Incident Management Team Planning Decision Support Services Team – Developing the R8 COVID-19 Panel. The Regional Office’s Planning Decision Support Service Team developed a way to distribute COVID-19 information and assist in decisions about personnel facilities. They received the “Special Award from the Regional Ranger for Overcoming Challenges – Our Commitment through Resilience and Innovation”.
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests employees Amanda Gee Walrod and Rhea Whalen They were part of the COVID-19 Regional Incident Management Team and Support Team, receiving the “Special Award from the Regional Forest Ranger to Overcome Challenges – Our Commitment through Resilience and Innovation” The Support and Customer Service team was assembled as part of the COVID-19 Region 8 Incident Management Team in response to an urgent need to support regional staff during the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year, USDA Forest Service employees in the Southern Region faced several challenges, such as natural disasters and virtual work, which led them to find innovative ways to fulfill their mission of serving the people and caring for the land,” said the guard. regional forestry Ken Arney. “It is a great honor to recognize these individuals and groups who have worked closely with our partners, volunteers and other federal and state agencies to carry out many special projects during a global pandemic.”
To learn more about Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests, click here.