Volunteer Spotlight

It is hard for us to select only a few volunteers to spotlight among our long list of deserving people. These hard-working people have distinguished themselves over the past year and we would like to extend a special thank-you to them. We owe the success of our chapter to these and all our generous and talented volunteers.

Volunteer Honorees

Ruth Troetschler - Environmental Action Committee and Burrowing Owl Conservation. Ruth is one of those truly astounding volunteers that keeps the mission of SCVAS alive and kicking. Her passionate voice for the protection and enhancement of habitat for native plants, bugs and birds has been heard throughout the county since the 1960s. She continually amazes us with her tireless dedication, spirited advocacy, and fierce support of SCVAS conservation programs.

Phil Higgins - Burrowing Owl Conservation. Take a look at Phil's schedule to be completely humbled. Wearing many different hats, Phil has been a phenomenal resource in protecting burrowing owls and enhancing their habitat in Mountain View and in San Jose, and in garnering the energy of cohorts of college students in changing the landscape to improve burrowing owl habitat in Santa Clara County.

Charles Wade - Nest Box Building Coordinator. If you've ever gone for a walk at McClellan Ranch Preserve or any number of local parks and preserves, chances are, you've seen Chuck's handiwork. Chuck's tireless efforts of coordination and resource procurement have helped keep our nest box program (a.k.a. the Cavity Nesters Recovery Program) going strong for over a decade and a half. What's more, because of his generosity of time (and often, supplies), thousands of school children throughout the county have had the opportunity to feel pride in building their own nest box. Chuck is truly irreplaceable!

Lee Pauser - Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (CNRP). When we ask people to consider becoming a CNRP monitor, we expect a once-a-week/breeding-season-only commitment with hopefully some data turned in at the end. But Lee goes so much farther! Always willing to advise on new nest box installations, his beautiful owl and kestrel boxes (among others) have been some of the most successful in the county. We - and the birds - are grateful for all his efforts!

Syd Hackworth - Office and Nature Shop Assistant. For the last year or so, Wednesday's have been a great day in the office - because that's when we know Syd will be here to help us out. Her steady, reliable work in the nature shop has been a tremendous asset as we organize inventory and process our sales for the week. And her friendly, smiling demeanor is always guaranteed to make customers (and staff) feel welcome.

Recently Retired

We would also like thank these volunteers who have tirelessly performed their duties and have decided to pass the torch.

Don Price - Finance Committee. Despite having officially "retired" from his financial responsibilities with SCVAS last year - after 31 years of service! Don has continued to be a source of information, assistance and support whenever we need him.

Cynthia Berg - CBRP database. Cynthia took on the monumental task of helping to develop and maintain a workable online database for nest box programs throughout the state. Her database allowed us to sort, search, summarize and keep track of hundreds of trails and monitors - making the nest box program that much more robust!

Phyllis Swanson - 2nd Wednesday Field Trip Coordinator. Definitely a behind-the-seasons activity, coordinating the monthly field trips takes patience, attention to detail, and a good organizational sense. All of which Phyllis has demonstrated in spades. We're grateful for the many years' worth of quality field trips that she helped to make happen!

Updated June 2012.