Forest Service Recognition

FOSM Briefs Forest Service Volunteer Program Coordinators

Click to access pdf copy of presentation.

FOSM was honored to be invited to brief the 3rd annual meeting of Forest Service volunteer program coordinators as a model friends organization. Mike Madden, Sam Beard, and Lou Romero presented the adjacent 15-slide overview of FOSM during a nationwide virtual meeting on January 30. Among the 30 participants were Sandia District Ranger Ken Born and Recreation Staff Officer Julie Padilla. Ken made the following observations afterwards:

Awesome job today, gentleman! We greatly appreciate you carving out time to share your experiences and know-how with the national volunteer group. This kind of information sharing and engagement is so helpful for other forests and national program managers to be part of – and makes me really proud to call FOSM our partner.

Thanks again for all you do in service to the public and the Sandia mountains.

Sandia Ranger District Hosts 2023 Volunteer Recognition Event

Group photo; Photo credit: Patricia E. Johnson, PAO, Cibola National Forest and Wildlands

October 19, 2023 – Sandia Ranger District (SRD) hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Event. FOSM was recognized repeatedly by Forest Service officials Crystal Powell, Julie Padilla, Russell Berman, and Sandra Coambs. Several FOSM members including Sam Beard, Joelle Hertel, Jamey Browning, Lou Romero, and Mike Madden were recognized individually.

Jenny Blackmore received special recognition for her leadership of the Challenge Trail extension project.

Delicious food; Photo credit: Cliff Giles
Jenny Blackmore receiving award for leadership of Challenge Trail extension project from Jamey Browning; Photo credit: Cliff Giles
Individual awards await pickup on table; Photo credit: Joyce Giles

2022 Sandia Ranger District Volunteer Appreciation Event

USDA Forest Service photo by Patricia E. Johnson

Sandia Ranger District (SRD) held a volunteer recognition event at the Oak Flat Picnic Area on October 21, 2022. FOSM and several of our members were among the volunteer organizations and individuals recognized. District Ranger Crystal Powell began the ceremonies by saying, “FOSM is awesome.” Thanks for the recognition, SRD!

Sandia Ranger District recognized FOSM’s 25 years of service with a delicious cake and several awards
A table full of awards to be given out

FOSM president Mike Madden accepts award from District Ranger Crystal Powell and SRD Recreation Manager Julie Padilla
Projects leader Sam Beard accepts award from SRD Recreation Manager Julie Padilla
Trail building project leader Jenny Blackmore accepts award from Cibola National Forest Trails Manager Kerry Wood
Michael Arndt accepts award from Cibola National Forest Trails Manager Kerry Wood 
Sam Beard accepts award from SRD Archeology Manager Sandra Coambs for work on Magdalena restoration project
Joelle Hertel and Mike Madden accept award from SRD Archeology Manager Sandra Coambs for work on Magdalena restoration project
In addition to an organizational award accepted by FOSM president Mike Madden, several FOSM members were honored with individual awards. Click on a photo to enlarge it. Photos by Cliff Giles.

FOSM Recognized with National Award

May 31, 2018 – The Friends of the Sandia Mountains have been recognized by the USDA Forest Service with the National Award for Enduring Service. For more than 22 years, they have helped maintain and paint facilities, fell hazard trees, build and maintain trails, serve at the Sandia Crest Information Center, and restore historical buildings.

“So many volunteers contribute endless hours of time and energy to the success of our mission and we appreciate each and every one of them,” said Steve Hattenbach, Forest Supervisor.

(To read the complete news release, click here.)