Friends of the Sandia Mountains began bestowing it’s own award for outstanding volunteer service in 2024. The award is named for Sam Beard who epitomizes its basis. Sam cofounded FOSM in 1997 and still spends most days every week in dedicated service to its mission at an age when most have passed or retired to a comfortable chair.
The first Sam Beard Award was given to Tim Brown in recognition of this 15 years of dedicated service as FOSM treasurer.
In 2025, the FOSM board of directors approved a process for nominating and selecting future awardees on an annual basis, and cofounder Don Carnicom was selected as the second awardee.
A perpetual plaque was mounted in the conference room of the Sandia Ranger Station that will be updated as new awards are presented.
October 7, 2025 – FOSM co-founder Don Carnicom was presented with the 2025 Sam Beard Achievement Award for his 28 years of service to Friends of the Sandia Mountains. Jamey Browning created and presented a beautiful wooden plaque commemorating Don’s devotion to maintenace of signage associated with the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway Auto Tour Guide.
This award is given to FOSM members in recognition of exceptional volunteer service to the Forest Service and our public lands. Nominations for the award are solicited annually from the board of directors and weekly crew leaders, and awardees are selected from the nominees by the board.
The award is named for Sam Beard who epitomizes its basis. Sam and Don cofounded FOSM in 1997, and Sam still spends most days every week in dedicated service to its mission at an age when most have passed or retired to a comfortable chair.
Jamey and Silke Bletzer created a perpetual plaque recognizing winners of the award. The plaque will be on permanent display in the Sandia Ranger Station conference room.
Congratulations and thanks for your service, Don!
October 1, 2024 – President Mike Madden presented the first Sam Beard Achievement Award, a plaque made by Jamey Browning, to Tim Brown commemorating his 15 years service as FOSM treasurer.
