SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY 2008

The 2008 Event was a Champagne Brunch held at the home of JPA Board Chair Dave Roberts on May 10th. Below, Dave Roberts on the right, holding son Julian, with honoree Phil Pryde on the left.

Below, scenes from the party: John and Arvie Degenfelder, with Margaret Schlesinger (with hat) in center.

Below, Arvie Degenfelder and Lynda Gaynor



Below, Dave Roberts presenting Volunteer Award to Jerry Rockwell



Below, Bill Simmons, Gigi and Dave Kreitzer, Chardie and Brandt Basset



READ BELOW ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS WHO RECEIVED AWARDS IN 2008

Phil Pryde

Here is one of the most overdue volunteer awards we’ve ever given. Phil is so indispensable to the San Dieguito River Park that we just count on him over and over again without giving him the recognition he deserves for all his service. Phil began his volunteer service with the River Park in May of 1988, when he was appointed by the Board to serve as the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee. For twenty years he has held that position, re-elected repeatedly by the CAC, keeping 42 different organizations in order and helping to bring them to consensus on many often thorny issues. His “Roberts Rules of Order”, which he always has with him, is worn out by now. As Chair of the CAC, he also sits on the JPA Board, as the lone public member. In that position he was appointed to many different Board committees, and can always be counted on to attend, unless he is leading bird hikes in some exotic foreign locale. And if all that weren’t enough, Phil regularly agrees to lead bird hikes in the River Park for interested members of the public. Phil has left an indelible impact on the San Dieguito River Park, and we want to show him our gratitude.

Carol Carr

Three years ago Carol Carr, who serves on the Citizens Advisory Committee as the representative of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, agreed to step in as temporary chair of a rejuvenated Trails Committee. Fortunately for us, she is still serving in that capacity, and we hope she’s forgotten the word “temporary”. She has been an outstanding chair, helping to define and develop the Trails Committee’s role and organizing and participating in numerous field visits. Her knowledge of bicycle users’ needs, which she always presents in cooperative, problem-solving ways, has been very helpful. In addition, Carol has urged others to volunteer for the Park and has volunteered herself on numerous occasions doing trail restoration work. We are grateful for her involvement.

Jeanne Chick

The San Dieguito River Park is privileged to have a volunteer as devoted as Jeanne Chick. Jeanne was recruited by our rangers after coming out for one of our monthly Trail Restoration projects just one year ago. She swiftly became a fixture on our team of Dust Devils. Not only does Jeanne volunteer with the rangers on a weekly basis she also donates time to the Park by taking on several native plant projects. Immediately after the October fire Jeanne went into action collecting cuttings and seeds from the Park to sprout and nurture Cottonwood, Oak trees, and Mule Fat in her backyard. Jeanne is quick to accept proposals by the ranger’s for almost any native plant project but she also takes initiative to suggest projects of her own. Just a few weeks ago she walked into the ranger’s office and announced, “I’m thinking about collecting colonies of bees for the Park, what do you think?” So, if you see a woman crouched down among the native plants in the Sikes Adobe Garden, say “hello,” chances are it’s Jeanne.

Luiz Sousa & Tom Brown

Luiz Sousa and Tom Brown became members of the San Dieguito River Park Volunteer Trail Patrol in Fall 2005. They are a charismatic and welcoming duo for our weekend trail users. Luiz and Tom have provided Park Rangers with crucial information regarding trail conditions, fallen trees, illegal activities, and injured trail users. While on Patrol last Summer, not only did they report a large oak tree blocking the North Shore Trail they also stayed to assist the Ranger in sawing and removing the downed section of tree. The tree incident ignited their newest interest in assisting the Rangers in Trail Restoration and Habitat Rehabilitation. Now, you can find Tom and Luiz on the trail not only patrolling, but working hands-on to make improvements to the trails they protect.

Jerry Rockwell

Jerry Rockwell is the Ranger’s Ranger! He has been an indispensible asset to the River Park Field Staff. Jerry has contributed over 4000 hours of service, helping on various projects that run the entire span of the River Park, from helping to design and create the Strawberry Stand in Del Mar, to helping with the restoration of the Historic Sikes Adobe Farmhouse to helping restore habitat in Santa Ysabel. The list is endless. Along with larger projects that Jerry has helped out with, he continues to support our Rangers on a weekly basis, assisting on fire recovery projects, trail construction and maintenance and habitat restoration. It is a true blessing to have Mr. Rockwell with the River Park. This is his fourth award and next year he’ll be up here for a Lifetime Achievement Award! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! The River Park would not be where it is or what it is without you!

TWO OTHER RECOGNITION AWARDS WERE GIVEN THIS YEAR FOR NON-VOLUNTEERS: LONG TIME STAFFERS SUSAN CARTER AND DICK BOBERTZ

Susan Carter

When recognizing long-term loyalty to  the River Park,  another  person who has been there since (and before) the beginning is Susan Carter.    Susan worked for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) when the River Park was still just a gleam in their eye and became the first employee when the River Park was organized in 1989.  Susan is the institutional memory of the River Park and is the go-to person for anyone trying to track down early details of the River Park’s evolution or to answer that “How did that happen?” question.   

Over Susan’s twenty years of living with and for the River Park she has become the major force behind the impressive success of the River park’s grant-writing program which has been the backbone of progress made by the River Park.  Susan applied her English major education and love for the environment to one successful grant application after another which has resulted in much of what you see today as trails, bridges, historical sites and restored habitat.   Susan’s enthusiasm, energy and productivity are well known and admired, but most of all appreciated by all of us who share her dedication to the River Park.

Dick Bobertz

In May 1998, Dick Bobertz was the new guy on the block, replacing long-time former Executive Director Diane Coombs. Although he had big shoes to fill, he lost no time in making the position his own. Under his genial leadership over the last ten years the River Park has quadrupled the land it owns and manages, and tripled the miles of trails in the Park. The Park has forged new and stronger relationships with other agencies and with its partner organizations. One of Dick’s highest priorities has been to establish an endowment for the River Park that will be a lasting legacy that ensures that the River Park’s goals and its programs will continue in the future. While the endowment is not as large as it needs to be yet, Dick has worked hard to set up the structure for its continued growth. With Dick at the helm, we look forward to new achievements in the next ten years, including a Nature Center at the San Dieguito Lagoon and an Interpretive Center next to the rebuilt Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, and completing the 55-mile long Coast to Crest Trail all the way from the river’s source on Volcan Mountain to the beach at Del Mar. Thank you, Dick, for everything you’ve accomplished!