PURPOSE

This award is given by the Public Lands Foundation for the purpose of perpetuating and enhancing the proud tradition of dedicated public service in the BLM’s stewardship of entrusted lands and resources. It is intended that this form of recognition will foster BLM employee pride and productivity as well as stimulate the public’s interest in federal resources and the quality of the agency’s management.  The award is in recognition of prestigious lifetime performance that benefited the management of Public Lands administered by BLM.

THE AWARD

 The award consists of a personal engraved plaque, a commendation letter, and a free one-year membership to the PLF for the recipient or family member.  In addition, the name of the selected individual will be added to the permanent PLF Award Program website and the Honor Board on display in BLM Headquarters, Washington, DC.  The award is granted as a Living or Posthumous Lifetime Service Award and may include two individuals per year in each category. 

NOMINATION AND ELIGIBILITY

The Public Lands Foundation will call for nominations annually through the Spring Monitor. Nominations will be welcome from all sources, including BLM employees and organizational units, PLF members, interest groups associated with various public land issues, and local and state government officials. For full consideration, a nominee’s performance must meet the eligibility requirements and be documented against the evaluation factors herein.  Nominations will be evaluated by an Awards Committee for each category and concurred in by the PLF President.  Nominations not selected for an award the year submitted may be reconsidered by the Awards Committee the following year subject to an updated status check with the nominating source.

Further, 1-Nominations may be for any career BLM employee regardless of job, grade, position, profession, etc., 2- Nominees must have had a career that lasted at least 30 years of which 20 years or more were with BLM.  The Awards Committee, with PLF President concurrence, may waive this requirement where the nominee substantially completed the specified time and the career was terminated by death or permanent disablement, 3- Nominations must have three endorsements who have knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments.  This requirement may be waived when endorsement by three individuals is prevented by the lack of survivors able to make an endorsement. 

EVALUATION FACTORS

1.  Depicted sustained dedication and performance with respect to issues and challenges that resulted in significant advances in management of Public Lands.

2.  Personal attributes that exhibited exceptional vision and foresight that affected public land resource management, and further, inspired various public and employee participation and initiative.

3.  Exceptional professionalism and public recognition in leadership that ‘made a difference,’ locally or nationally. 

4.  Instrumental in the development and effectiveness of employees for future management and custody of the Public Lands.

5.  Any other factors that demonstrate the nominee’s commitment and resourcefulness to warrant recognition for furthering the stature of career public service.