State parks/reservoirs staff and partners recently received recognition for excellence from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. These awards were presented by DNR director Rob Carter and State Parks and Reservoirs director Dan Bortner at the annual division meeting at Brown County State Park.

* State Parks and Reservoirs Partnership Award was presented to Ralph and Sherri Trine for their significant financial contribution and ongoing support toward the purchase and development of Pokagon State Park’s new Trine State Recreation Area. The Trine SRA is undergoing significant rehabilitation. Some parts of the site will open in 2009.

* A State Parks and Reservoirs Partnership Award was also presented to the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) for the development of 14 miles of mountain bike trails at Brown County State Park and 12 miles of trails at Versailles State Park. HMBA has obtained project funding, provided thousands of hours of volunteer labor for trail construction and continues to provide routine maintenance on these trails. HMBA is also working to develop trails at O’Bannon Woods State Park.

* The staff at O’Bannon Woods State Park received the Property Achievement Award. The award acknowledges efforts to meet goals and objectives and work together as a team to provide outstanding visitor services. Successful projects this past year included the renovation and reopening of a Family Aquatic Center, creation of a 36-site loop with electricity for horse campers, grant development for the construction of an accessible trail, forming a partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to provide research and protection for the endangered Indiana bat at Wyandotte Cave, rehab of the 1942 fire tower and renovation of the historic Civilian Conservation Corps group camp.

* A Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Terri Warne, who volunteers at Brown County State Park. Warne coordinates special events and provides a wide variety of programs for visitors, ranging from an annual Smokey Bear birthday party to a haunted trail. She cares for injured bats, and often uses live bats in programs.

* A Volunteer of the Year Award was also presented to Loretta Heiniger from Mounds State Park, who planned and led construction efforts for a 6,500 square-foot butterfly garden near the swimming pool. The garden houses more than 1,600 plants of almost 50 native species. The site has been designated an official monarch butterfly way station.

* The Tulip Tree Award was presented to Greg Sorrels, facilities specialist for the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs for leadership in facilities management, budget planning and coordination with administrative divisions during the past year.

For additional information about these individuals or their awards, contact the staff listed below.

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Media contacts:

* Partner Award Recipients Ralph and Sherri Trine: Ted Bohman, property manager, Pokagon State Park, (260) 833-2012
* Partner Award Recipients Hoosier Mountain Bike Association: Doug Baird, property manager, Brown County State Park, (812) 988-6406 or Ted Tapp, property manager, Versailles State Park, (812) 689-6424
* Property Achievement Award: Bob Sawtelle, property manager, O’Bannon Woods State Park, (812) 738-8232
* Volunteer Terri Warne: Jim Eagleman, interpretive naturalist, Brown County State Park, (812) 988-5240
* Volunteer Loretta Heiniger: Angie Manuel, interpretive naturalist, Mounds State Park, (765) 649-8128
* Tulip Tree Award Winner Greg Sorrels: Dan Bortner, director, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, (317) 232-4136

Media Contact:
Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship, (317) 232-4143