Congratulations to Jeanne Latham, Patuxent Research Refuge’s
2011 Volunteer of the Year

Jeanne has been an active volunteer at Patuxent since 2005 and has contributed more than 2000 hours to the refuge. From the scope of her contributions, you might call Jeanne a “jack of all trades.” Jeanne serves on the Friends Board of Directors. She currently serves as co-chair of Publicity and Marketing for the Art Show and Sale. She also serves on the Bookstore Oversight Committee, Run for the Refuge Race Committee, and Friends Holiday Bazaar Committee. She was a major contributor to the completion of the Friends of Patuxent Wild and Not So Wild Recipe Book.

Jeanne has facilitated interpretive programs for Nature Tots (3-4 year-olds), 5-7 year-olds, and 8-10 year-olds on topics including spiders, birds, "dead" trees, beavers, wolves, and also off-site interpretive programs at local libraries. She has assisted Dennis Hartnett with visiting school groups, and helped facilitate teachers’ workshops. She also participated in the Science Bowl in Landover, MD.  
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She collects and enters valuable Visitor Center statistics for the onsite and offsite interpretive programs, special events, and tram tours. Jeanne participates in offsite outreach events, helps with special events, and assists with the Wildlife Images Bookstore. She has also monitored blue bird nest boxes, assisted Susan Minter with judging and outreach for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program, and contributed articles for the Friends Newsletter.

USFWS isn’t the only lucky recipient of Jeanne’s efforts. She enters box turtle research data into a database for USGS and is also active in her community, helping needy families by volunteering with Friday Foods and a food pantry at a local church.

In summary, through her many and varied contributions over the past six years, Jeanne has established herself as a stellar example of true volunteer spirit. Patuxent is fortunate to call her one of our own.