My Public Lands

Stan Shaw, Yuma Field Office, Arizona

Stan Shaw and his wife, Judy, began volunteering with the BLM Yuma Field Office (YFO) in 2007, first as seasonal volunteers, then as year-round participants.

Stan soon identified components of the field office Recreation Program that he believed could benefit from targeted attention. He therefore offered to take on additional responsibilities, with special emphasis on office-wide public and employee safety and enhanced customer service. Stan’s efforts began to pay immediate and tangible dividends for public land visitors, fellow volunteers, the YFO Recreation Program, and other field office programs. Stan helped to correct several safety, health, and environmental deficiencies at the La Posa Long-Term Visitor Area (LTVA), and created an improved “look” for LTVA contact stations. Stan also improved the operation of many of the LTVA campground infrastructure components and facilities, improving the quality and safety of the public’s recreational experiences while maximizing all available resources.

During the past year, Stan has also worked with BLM park rangers and law enforcement personnel to clear numerous abandoned vehicles and several tons of litter from public lands. He helped BLM Colorado River District wildland fire/prevention staff construct public advisory “Smokey Bear” signs, which provide information on current wildland fire hazard conditions. Another of Stan’s many notable achievements was his implementation of “green energy” choices in everything from appliance replacements to light bulb purchases for contact stations.

The volunteer service Stan provides plays a critical role in the day-to-day management, cost suppression, and operation of one of the BLM’s largest recreation fee programs; it is estimated that his work has saved the YFO more than $65,000 to date. Stan’s efforts to provide quality public land experiences have made YFO recreation sites prime vacation destinations.

Read more about the Annual Making a Difference Volunteer Awards.