Voyageurs National Park Association Recipient of the 2016 Midwest Region Champion Award

Date: January 17, 2017
Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218-283-6670

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: The National Park Service (NPS) created this award five years ago to recognize successful communities, non-profits, and interagency partnerships that are integral to communicating the National Park Service mission both within and beyond park boundaries. As part of the National Park Service Centennial, the NPS is recognizing many successful partnerships that not only promote activities and programs within the national parks in the Midwest Region, but help carry messages of conservation, stewardship, and positive engagement to their neighboring communities and partners.

Voyageurs National Park Association (VNPA) is receiving this award for their steadfast dedication to working in partnership with the NPS at Voyageurs National Park. VNPA is a leading voice for both the protection and promotion of park resources. As a partner with the NPS, VNPA provides direct financial support, implements special projects, and works to enhance the visitor experience and protect natural resource of the park for future generations.

VNPA supported the park through a Landmark Grant of $150,000 over a three year period that has allowed numerous partnerships to be created and has helped the park make connections with inner city youth; create collaboration with new partners, further scientific research, increase education contacts, and further land-based projects in a water-based park.

Their support has assisted in creating a Teen Ambassador Program to serve youth from inner-city schools, a Ghosts of Voyageurs interpretive program, an extended tour season for visitors, staffing a park gateway community tourist information center, a land preservation display, providing interpretive support for the park’s Visitor Destinations program, a winter shelter hut program, the Cruiser Lake Trail project, energy efficient lighting for the Rainy Lake and the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Centers, and restoring impacted marsh areas through removal of invasive hybrid cattails.

Regional Director Cameron Sholly stated, “You exemplify the best in partnerships and your dedicated work has had a positive impact on the park and its surrounding communities. I appreciate your accomplishments and recognize your work with this 2016 Midwest Partnership Award.”

The award will be presented to Christina Hausman, Executive Director of Voyageurs National Park Association during the Community Welcome Reception for Park Superintendent Bob DeGross. The Reception will be held at the Ranier Community Building on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Thank you Voyageurs National Park Association for all you do.

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