News Release Archive

Bill Martin, Outdoor Recreation Planner in Lower Colorado Region, Receives National Take Pride in America Award

Media Contact: Bob Walsh, 202-293-8420

For Release: September 24, 2004

On Tuesday, September 21, William "Bill" Martin, an outdoor recreation planner in the Bureau of Reclamation's Boulder City, Nevada, office, received a national Take Pride in America award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Martin was among several individuals and groups from across the country who received awards recognizing their outstanding contributions to the Nation's public lands.

In recognizing the 2004 Take Pride in America award winners, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said: "Cooperative conservation is essential to the long-term vitality of our nation's most prized treasure -- our public lands. The exemplary volunteers applauded today represent countless hours of care towards the timeless value of stewardship."

Martin works with numerous contacts throughout the Lower Colorado Region - which encompasses southern Nevada, southern California and most of Arizona - to share ideas and information on how to better involve the public in stewardship of public lands.

His award citation noted he "... has formed robust partnerships with more than 35 entities, including federal, state and local government and private-sector groups." He was specifically recognized for his work with the Lake Havasu Fisheries Partnership to improve recreational fishing access at the lake; his participation in the River Mountains Partnership's trail development efforts in southern Nevada; and his work with Clark County and Henderson, Nevada, as well as the cities of Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, to improve recreational use and management of Reclamation lands.

"What a surprise and honor for Reclamation, the LC Region, and me," Martin said. "These projects are a team effort, and all the members of the teams/partnerships deserve part of this award. I would also like to thank our management; without their support we would not have the opportunity to pursue these partnerships."

"Bill Martin has taken extraordinary steps to build strong and effective partnerships between Reclamation, volunteers and other entities," said Bob Johnson, Regional Director of the Lower Colorado Region. "He is resourceful and innovative, and a tremendous asset to the Bureau of Reclamation."

Take Pride in America is a national partnership that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation groups; and top national corporations and organizations. The Take Pride in America awards, presented annually, recognize specific volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories. For more information, visit www.TakePride.gov

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.