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Blizzard honored by Appalachian Lab
For the Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Fri Apr 22, 2011, 10:50 PM EDT
— FROSTBURG — Maryland Park Service Ranger Caroline Blizzard is the recipient of the 2011 Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award for helping elevate environmental stewardship and understanding throughout Western Maryland.
Blizzard was selected for the honor by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory.
The award was presented Thursday evening at the lab by its director, Robert Gardner. The annual award recognizes local citizens for their outstanding contributions to environmental education and was presented to Blizzard for her work at the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center and her personal contributions to local schools and civic organizations.
“Caroline has set a new high-water mark when it comes to engaging others about the need to conserve and protect our natural resources,” said Gardner. “Her passion and leadership has helped bring the natural world into the lives of thousands of local residents and park visitors every year.”
Blizzard has spent a lifetime helping area residents and visitors better understand and appreciate nature. Whether through her work as a certified interpretive guide, directing the Discovery Center or developing the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, Blizzard has long been a regional leader in the environmental education field.
Since 2004, she has directed the Discovery Center and its interpretive programming and education programs. She and her team have worked hard to make the center a frequent destination spot and hub for people to enjoy and learn about nature around Deep Creek Lake.
“Caroline is an invaluable asset to our agency, to our state and to the thousands of visitors to Deep Creek Lake,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin, “Through her dedication to the Maryland Park Service and natural resources education, visitors can better relate to — and appreciate — what makes our state unique.”
As a monarch ambassador, Blizzard has helped establish monarch butterfly “way stations” at area schools where students annually tag and release more than 800 butterflies and learn about their migration to butterfly sanctuaries in Mexico. Blizzard photographs the butterflies in Mexico to create lessons for the classrooms. This year, teachers traveled with her to directly link the classrooms via Internet video, pen pal letters and on-site visits.
Her nature photography can be viewed around the area in various venues, including the Four Storm Artists Gallery that she founded along with her family. She is also involved with numerous area organizations, including the Garrett Natural History Association, Garrett Trails, the American Cancer Society and several local civic and garden clubs.
The award honors the memory of Richard A. Johnson, a well-known orthopedic surgeon in the Allegany County area who died in 1990, leaving a legacy of a caring and dedicated physician, family man and naturalist. It provides $1,500 to support environmental education activities, which this year will go to the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers.
An endowed fund to support the Johnson Award has been established at the University System of Maryland Foundation. Contributors include AES Western Maryland Management Co. LLC, Allegheny Power, NewPage Corp., Mettiki Coal Corp. and numerous private citizens and other organizations.
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