2020 Open Space Conservation Awards

Jeffco Open Space hosts an annual volunteer and partner appreciation breakfast. Several PLAN Jeffco Board members were at the Lakewood Cultural Center to help celebrate this year’s recipients.

Aspen Rookie Volunteer Award – given to a first-year volunteer who epitomizes the enthusiasm of the Open Space Volunteer Program. This year’s recipient is Ian Francescato for his extraordinary work as a Trailhead Steward.

Rocky Mountain Juniper Stewardship Award – given to 6-year volunteer Tom Ging, who works with the Real Estate Group. He has developed a protocol for scanning and cataloguing real estate documents.

Douglas Fir Partnership Award – given to Mountainsmith, https://mountainsmith.com/ Mountainsmith has had an ongoing partnership with Open Space for many years. Formed in 1979, they manufacture and sell outdoor products and offer discounts on their product line for OS staff and volunteers. They participate in volunteer trail days and sponsor events that get people into the outdoors, as well as supporting the JCOS Adventure Club for foster children.

Blue Spruce Outdoor Connections Award – given to Great Outdoors Colorado for their quarter-century partnership with JCOS. They have awarded 176 grants, $47M, to conserve 6440 acres of land in Jefferson County alone.

Gambel Oak Pioneer Award – given to Denver Mountain Parks for their pioneering spirit and preservation efforts in the early 1900s that have influenced and helped guide Jefferson County Open Space.

John Litz Award – given to Jan Wilkins for her 15 years of service on the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee and her other volunteer efforts in the realm of open space conservation. Jan chaired the committee that pushed for the Open Space bonds in 1997-98. Following passage of the bonds measure by 74% of the voters, Jan joined OSAC, served as Vice-Chair, and helped preserve nearly 20,000 acres of Open Space lands. She served on the committees for the Party for the Parks (2013) and 2014 OS Master Plan. Said John Litz, as he was presenting the award, “The main thing about Jan is that you could always count on her to be a solid performer and do everything that she possibly could to further the effort.”

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Jan Wilkins, when she accepted her award, said: “None of this (meaning the Open Space Program) would be possible if it weren’t for everyone else.” If you’d like to get more involved with Open Space, if you’re interested in learning more about the program, the annual Volunteer Fair will be held at the JCOS Headquarters, 700 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 100 Golden. You can check out all volunteer positions on Thursday, 2/20, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM and again on Saturday, 2/22, from 10 AM to 1:30 PM.

https://www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1070

You can view the award winners at https://bit.ly/2S982aS