VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR GORDON PAULSON, NOMINATED BY BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

More than any other recreational or cultural resource in American, the success story of trails in the United States has been written by volunteers. For the ninth year, the American Hiking Society conducted a nationwide search and has proudly announced Gordon Paulson of Rapid City as the American Hiking Society Volunteer of the Year for the state of South Dakota. This award honors volunteers for their tireless efforts to preserve and maintain America's trails. Paulson has coordinated trails projects through the Telephone Pioneers of America at Badlands National Park for nearly a decade.

A resident of Rapid City, Paulson retired from U.S. West in 1986, came out of retirement for a few years, then officially became a full-time retiree in 2000. With his wife Diane, Paulson has four children: Kim Kelley of Deadwood, South Dakota, Kris Paulson of Brighton, Colorado, Lisa Seaman of Rapid City, and Dena Rus of Scottsdale, Arizona. When asked if he was a grandfather, Paulson replied, "Yes - I have five and a half since there is a sixth on the way."

The Telephone Pioneers recently changed their name to the Telecom Pioneers but continue to serve as the world's largest industry related volunteer organization. At Badlands National Park, the local chapter has provided boardwalking at the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, Door Geology Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, and the Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area. These four areas serve over one million visitors each year.

Roads and Trails Foreman Galen Livermont, who nominated Paulson for the award, notes, "We always know when spring has officially arrived because in addition to the flowers and the birds, Gordon also returns to the Badlands." Paulson was presented his award at a volunteer banquet held at the park on Thursday, June 5, 2003.