Congratulations to Joe DiGiovanni, Patuxent Research Refuge’s
2012 Volunteer of the Year

Joe DiGiovanni, has been selected the 2012 Volunteer of the Year. A Master Gardener, Joe has provided landscaping, garden plantings and clean-up as well as shrub and tree pruning at various areas and gardens around the visitor contact station on north tract and the visitor center on south tract. He has helped create new trails and gardens, acted as a trail monitor and helped improve and preserve the condition of old cemeteries at north tract.

Joe has led presentations and demonstrations on pruning techniques for Patuxent staff and as a special Friends of Patuxent Members Only program. He has helped with both refuge and Friends' special events and festivals, and contributed his photography of the refuge for the Patuxent Research Refuge website.

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In his spare time, Joe hand-carves nature-themed rocks which have been placed in and around gardens, ponds and trails at both north and south tracts. He has donated his carvings to the Friends of Patuxent for the Wildlife Art Show and Sale and also to other refuges, including Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges.

Joe is active in his community, giving educational presentations at libraries, garden clubs and community centers. In addition, he gave a presentation at the UMD Extension Service in Ellicott City and helped with garden clean-up in preparation for the Master Gardener Job Fair for new interns at the Howard County Conservancy.