Last week, ForestWatch and friends gathered at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. in Santa Barbara for an evening celebrating our members and volunteers. Attendees were treated to delicious food by Chef Jake O. Francis, tasty Figueroa Mountain beer, and wine from Solminer and Beckmen Vineyards.
For the third year in a row, ForestWatch staff also presented several special awards to members and volunteers in recognition of their contributions to the organization and our public lands.
Jody Brown, ForestWatch’s membership and grants manager, presented the following awards to ForestWatch members and sponsors:
Founding Member Award – Mary Howe-Grant and Peter Ford
Mary and Peter have been members of ForestWatch since 2006! We’re so grateful for their continued support.
Outstanding Sponsor Award – Buynak, Fauver, Archbald & Spray
This Santa Barbara-based law firm has long been crucial in making our WILD! events a success. The award was presented to Michelle Weinman who was there representing the firm.
Superior Suds Award – Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
The gracious host of our appreciation party—they closed down the Santa Barbara taproom just for us—also happens to be a longtime sponsor of ForestWatch events. Accepting this first ever award was the brewery’s president and co-founder Jaime Dietenhofer.
Next, ForestWatch conservation director Bryant Baker and events manager Lindy Carlson presented awards to volunteers who have worked tirelessly to clean up our local national forest, provide assistance in the ForestWatch office, and help put on our fundraising events.
Bullet Banisher Award – Lucas Kuyper
Taking after his dad, Lucas has helped at several cleanups and removed more bullets from illegal target shooting sites than just about anyone this year. At age 10, Lucas is the youngest recipient of this prestigious award.
Pound for Pound Award – Jay Svenningsen
At a single cleanup, seven year-old Jay removed his body weight in microtrash from the Los Padres National Forest. This was a first, and we were truly impressed.
Frontcountry Protector – Yvonne DeGraw
Yvonne was recognized for her exemplary work helping remove lead bullets and microtrash at Santa Barbara frontcountry cleanups over the last year, such as Lizard’s Mouth Cleanup and West Fork Cold Spring Trail Cleanup.
The Computer Whisperer Award – Kyle Svenningsen
Also known as the “Mighty I.T. Award” (yes, it’s pronounced “might-ee eye-tee”), this was given to Kyle in recognition of the immense amount of work he did to help us get the electronics and internet set up in our new office. We’re even more impressed with his “wine pose.”
WILD! Wonder Award – Annette Tran
Annette started out with ForestWatch as an intern in 2017. We have been so lucky to have her help put on our WILD! fundraisers as a volunteer since then as well.
WILD! Legacies Award – Nick and Heather Bobroff
Nick and Heather have been instrumental in making our WILD! fundraisers successful for many years. If you’ve ever attended one of these events, chances are you’ve seen them behind the bar pouring drinks!
People Mover and Shaker Award – Ángeles Small
This award was in recognition of the work Ángeles has done over the past two years helping organize community hikes by spreading the word to families throughout the area and coordinating transportation to these fun and educational events. She couldn’t be at the party, so we had to improvise a bit…
Best Pupper Award – Leela Baker
The final and certainly tastiest award went to our conservation director’s dog for the third year in a row. No, it’s not favoritism. Bryant has been the head of the selection committee for this award but maintains that he has followed all of the rules and regulations established by the committee. Leela was recognized for her work keeping staff happy in the office and with helping lead hikes and cleanups out in the forest.
The evening wrapped up with some amazing raffle prizes from Patagonia, Caravan Outpost, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., and Beckmen Vineyards.
Thank you to all of our amazing members, volunteers, and supporters (and pup!). We simply could not accomplish all of work without you.
Check out more photos from the appreciation party below:
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