So, it’s a little weird to blog about myself but we wanted to pass on the news about the Loudoun County Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award. It was quite an honor to receive it and I’m very thankful for the recognition. Below is the press release.
Volunteer Loudoun recognized Nicole Hamilton and named her the Loudoun County Outstanding Environmental Volunteer at the April 21st Board of Supervisors meeting. Remarks by Master of Ceremonies Tim Jon during the award presentation follow:
. . . Nicole Hamilton, our Outstanding Environmental Volunteer is being honored today for her countless hours to The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and has served in many leadership roles for over 10 years. With her initiative, many of the conservancy’s popular programs have grown in scope, volunteers, and positive outcomes. She served as president from 2004-2008 and increased programs and communication with members, volunteers and the public substantially.
Programs that Nicole began or enhanced include the “Citizen Science” or wildlife monitoring programs, the Bluebird Monitoring program in partnership with the Virginia Bluebird Society, the Loudoun Amphibian Monitoring Program with support from local experts, and she coordinated the 2008 Butterfly Count with 48 participants who counted nearly 3,000 total butterflies and over 50 species.
As president of the LWC, Nicole increased membership fourfold to 616, strengthening its capability to accomplish its mission. In addition, Nicole works with property owners and local government officials to increase awareness of vernal pools threatened by development which resulted in plans to protect these pools with increased buffer areas and habitat restoration projects.
Nicole also serves as webmaster of the LWC website, www.loudounwildlife.org, writes an almost daily blog, and has introduced new technologies including podcasts and Twitter to communicate with a broader audience. She generates a monthly e-mail announcement and writes articles for LWC’s quarterly publication the Habitat Herald.