Wappapello Lake management, staff recognized
From left, Corps of Engineers Divisional Award Winners: Park Ranger Crystal Baughman from Chief Joseph Dam and Rufus Wood Lake (Northwest Division Region), Stephen Austin (USACE Headquarters), Natural Resources Specialist Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson from Wappapello Lake (National Winner and Mississippi Valley Division Region), Park Ranger Kimberly Baker from Caesar Creek Lake (Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Region), Recreation Specialist Judy Scott (Southwest Division Region).
It’s been a good year for the Corps of Engineers staff at Wappapello Lake.
The Wappapello Lake Project and staff was recognized as the nation’s top U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Management Project of the Year in 2008 and Wappapello’s Natural Resources Specialist Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson was recognized by his peers at the 2008 National Association of Interpreter (NAI) Workshop and Awards Ceremony held in Portland, OR.
Jefferson was recognized as the USACE Mississippi Valley Division Regional Interpreter of the Year. This presentation was a follow up for being recognized as the national recipient of the Hiram M. Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence at the senior leaders’ convention this past August in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Award is awarded to one who demonstrates outstanding achievement to enhance public understanding of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, promoting positive experiences and attitudes, and encouraging voluntary stewardship of natural, cultural, and created resources.
Jefferson has worked at Wappapello since 1987. He previously worked three years in the St. Louis District.
Other agencies that sent their top interpreter to National Association of Interpreters (NAI) awards ceremony included Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Park Service.
