America’s State Parks Group Confers Awards

Sept. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- At its annual meeting in Dubuque, Iowa on September 5, 2013, the National Association of State Park Directors (http://www.naspd1.org/) (NASPD) formally recognized the contributions of individuals, non-profits and public agencies for their achievements in support of state parks and state park systems in the U.S.
"State park systems across the country have struggled in the difficult economy over the past few years,” said NASPD President Priscilla Geigis. “But each state park system is uniquely blessed with passionate support from their communities. Thousands of people and groups devote their time, talents, and resources to the parks they love. This is just one way of thanking them."

The Rockefeller-Udall award for singular lifetime achievement was bestowed on Henry L. Diamond for advancing the cause of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). With a career spanning more than 50 years, Diamond’s name is virtually synonymous with environmental conservation. Serving several Presidential administrations, Diamond was instrumental in the creation of both the LWCF and the Wilderness Act. Along with longtime associate Laurance Rockefeller, Diamond is credited with shaping decades of policies and laws related to wildlife, parks, forests and open space conservation.  He spent a number of years in New York State, heading up the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and worked to solidify laws and policies related to today’s Adirondack Park.

Previous Rockefeller-Udall award recipients were National Recreation and Park Association CEO Barbara Tulipane and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

The Ney C. Landrum Park History Award is named for a long-time Florida State Park Director and author, and is awarded to individuals or organizations whose work has made a significant contribution to the historical record of a state park, a state park system, or the state park movement nationally. Robert Beanblossom of West Virginia was the 2013 winner for his work revising the Histories of the Southeastern State Parks Systems.

The President’s Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made an extraordinary contribution or innovation at a state, regional or national level, furthering the goal of a system of state parks. Awards went to three individuals and one group:

Gilbert Bliss: The former Director of Massachusetts Forests and Parks Division, Bliss worked for nearly 35 years in forestry, parks and recreation management before retiring in 1988. Throughout his career, he was widely admired for his leadership, analytical abilities, and consensus-building skills. Sadly, Bliss passed away on July 29, 2013.

John Norbeck: Norbeck came up through the ranks in Maryland, spending 29 years there.  He was named Director of Pennsylvania State Parks in 2006, and served in that capacity until November, 2012. During his tenure as its Director, the Pennsylvania state park system was awarded the National Gold Medal for “Best Managed State Park System” in the country. He also served as President of the Northeast State Parks Association from 2007-2012, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Park Directors from 2007-2012.

Charles “Chazz” Salkin: The Director of the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, Salkin has gained a national reputation for leadership and accomplishment in park administration and natural and cultural heritage preservation. He has represented Delaware on LWCF matters for many years, and has served in a variety of roles with the NASPD.

The Goddard Legacy Project in Pennsylvania: The Project created a broad and highly-focused public awareness campaign to sustain the memory, values and conservation ethics of Maurice K. “Doc” Goddard, the father of Pennsylvania State Parks. The multifaceted outreach included a full-length documentary on Goddard’s life, produced with the local PBS station, new historic markers and interpretive panels, articles in professional journals and the popular press, a summer camp for middle school children, a graduate studies project and much more.

Two Special Awards were also issued.

Phil McKnelly: the outgoing Executive Director of the NASPD and retired Director of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, was honored with a special award for his service and commitment to the NASPD mission. He has been the NASPD Executive Director for the past 10 years.

Friends of Mines of Spain: recognized for its work raising funds to expand an aging interpretive center at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, a National Historic Landmark near Dubuque, Iowa. The group raised nearly $2 million to improve the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center. Thanks to Iowa’s climate, the park is also site of the “America’s State Tree Woodland Walk,” a trail and interpretive display featuring official state trees from 46 of the 50 states. NASPD conference attendees helped plant the trees during their visit to the park.

The National Association of State Park Directors is a non-profit organization of state park directors whose mission is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation's environment, heritage, health and economy. Under the banner of America’s State Parks (http://www.americasstateparks.org/), the NASPD sponsors “First Day Hikes” (http://www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes) in state parks nationwide on New Year’s Day.
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