The Sierra National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres of public lands, to include the iconic John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness. These lands are managed by Forest Service personnel and by individual and group volunteers who believe in putting their time into ensuring these lands are managed for the use and enjoyment of all.

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest will be recognized for their hard work and dedication in ecological restoration at the Madera County Board of Supervisors meeting Aug. 7.

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest organization received the Forest Service National Trails Volunteer Group of the Year Award for 2011, and will receive certificates of appreciation by District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler. Much of the work performed by the Stewards takes place in Madera County.

Wubbels commented on the amount of work that the Stewards have achieved in the group's three years of existence and expressed gratitude for the award recognition.

"I think there are a lot more people who are willing to volunteer if you give them an opportunity to do it," Wubbels said. "That's really what I did. I put the vehicle in place for them to do it."

The Sierra National Forest boasts more than 400 individuals and group volunteers that provided services valued at more than $770,000 to the forest during 2011, and are continuing to build value added to the forest throughout 2012. Many of these individuals and groups also received Forest Service level awards in 2011.

"Our volunteers contributed over 35,000 hours of their personal time. Their contributions are essential to our mission of ensuring forest health," said Scott G. Armentrout, Forest Supervisor for the Sierra National Forest. "Their great ideas, hard work and inspiration toward 'caring for the land and serving people' helps to ensure our success."

Details: www.fs.usda.gov/main/sierra/workingtogether/volunteering.