Alice Smith, long-time botanist in the U.S. Forest Service’s Sweet Home Ranger Disrict, has been awarded the prestigious Karl Urban Celebrating Wildflowers National Award.
The award is jointly given by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The award recognizes an individual or group of people who exemplify dedication to the Celebrating Wildflowers program through the protection of native plant resources, creativity, community involvement, volunteer programs, and educational efforts.
Smith’s leadership in wildflower and native plant conservation shines through in many aspects of her work; she leads interpretive hikes on topics ranging from berry picking to mushrooms, staffs booths at community education events, and provides technical expertise for local watershed restoration projects.
Other examples of Smith’s work include Camas Prairie, a low-elevation swale located several miles east of Sweet Home. Smith brought together American Indian tribes, fire ecologists and restoration practitioners to integrate the use of fire and plant propagation to restore the local flora. The site serves as a place to teach Forest visitors, students, and tribes about the management and restoration of cultural resources.
“We’re so proud to have Alice as part of our staff and in our community,” states Melany Glossa, District Ranger for the Sweet Home Ranger District. “Alice’s dedication, knowledge and persistence are the hallmarks of a true professional. I’m honored to work with her and pleased to have her recognized nationally.”
For more information about the USDA Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers program visit http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/.
For information about the Sweet Home Ranger District call (541)367-5168 or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/index.html.