Media Contacts:
Michele Gedrose, Continuing Education program manager, 509.682.6906
Libby Siebens, executive director community relations, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

December 19, 2016

Leslie Bigos (right) with Susan Ballinger.

The innovative Wenatchee Naturalist course, designed by instructor Susan Ballinger and administered by the WVC Continuing Education department, recently received an award at the 2016 Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) national conference in September.

The Wenatchee Naturalist website, created by volunteer Wenatchee Naturalist Leslie Bigos, received the award for Outstanding Volunteer Project. The award recognizes innovative and exceptional volunteer projects conducted by or for ANROSP member organizations.

Bigos completed the 50-hour Wenatchee Naturalist course through WVC Continuing Education in December 2015. She then completed her volunteer pledge to support conservation by working for 100+ hours during the summer of 2016 to design and create the website, www.wenatcheenaturalist.com.

The modern, device-friendly Word Press website is open to all and contains resources of wide interest to North Central Washington state individuals, conservation organizations and to 150 local Wenatchee Naturalists. Bigos, along with volunteer Wenatchee Naturalist photographers Dave Hillstad and Lisa Robinson, provided images of landscapes, plants and animals for free use on the website in course materials, including the “Learn 10 Game” set of 100 common plants and animals. Bigos also created and donated a Quizlet game that allows students to practice and learn to name 100 common species.

Award applications are peer reviewed; selection is made by the ANROSP Awards Committee, chaired by the ANROSP vice president.

Michele Gedrose and Erin Davidson of the WVC Continuing Education department.