A York County woman who has dedicated the past 20 years of her life improving a nearby State Park and sharing its natural wonders with others has been named “2005 Conservation Volunteer of the Year” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Karen Lippy of Hanover, president of the Codorus Bird Club, secretary of Friends of Codorus, and an ever-helpful fixture at Codorus State Park since 1986, was selected by DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks for individual bureau award honors.

Lippy shares annual volunteer honors with two group-award recipients: Friends of Goddard, selected for parks distinction for assuring the success of many special activities at M.K. Goddard State Park in Mercer County, and the Rattling Creek Single Trackers, mountain biking enthusiasts saluted by the Bureau of Forestry for trail improvement and commitment to Weiser State Forest District land in northern Dauphin County.

“Once again all of our Conservation Volunteer Award recipients are marked by a passion to protect, improve, and enhance the natural world around us,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “Whether it’s introducing newcomers to the joys of birding, helping others relive the pioneer life on parklands, or tackling state forest trail improvements in drenching rain, the efforts of these recipients embody the purpose of the program and their awards.”

An ardent birding enthusiast, Libby monitored a bald eagle nest almost daily during the summer of 2005 at Codorus State Park. She regularly provides group lectures and individual information and aid to visitors, and serves as the eye and ears of the park staff, helping monitor the natural world around her.

“Karen’s life absolutely is dedicated to promoting an interest in birds and the love of nature,” said Secretary DiBerardinis. “She definitely is a treasured gem of the southern York County area and is known far and wide for her wealth of knowledge and fascination with the natural world.”

Lippy was selected from volunteers working across Pennsylvania in its 117 state parks and 20 state forest districts. Together they amassed more than 500,000 hours -- a volunteer contribution benchmark attained each year by DCNR’s Conservation Volunteer Program since its inception in 1997.

Friends of Goddard, the Bureau of Parks’ 2005 group award-winner, was formed less than fours years ago with the intent of aiding environmental education efforts and helping stage the park’s annual Pioneer Frolic Festival. Set-up and teardown, vending concessions, re-enactment and entertainer recruitment are among the groups’ duties that help assure the event’s success.

The Bureau of Forestry’s Group Conservation Volunteer award-winner -- Rattling Creek Single Trackers -- was saluted for “tireless efforts to establish and maintain multiple-use trails on public land in northern Dauphin County.”

Since 2001, the group has constructed nearly 16 mile of trail in the Weiser State Forest District and adjoining municipal land, and annually devotes four days to trail work and other forest activities.

Anyone interested in becoming conservation volunteers can contact any state park or forest district office; call 1-888-PA-PARKS from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; or visit DCNR's Volunteers webpage.

6/16/2006