John Davies
∞ Dependable ∞ Eager ∞ Committed ∞
From the moment John Davies began volunteering for our property he was someone who stood out. He started as a “jack of all trades” accomplishing any and all maintenance projects available. As a former electrician for Nestle – John’s expertise in a variety of maintenance fields has been extremely valuable. He is also a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and Wisconsin Bat Ambassador and has piloted the bat conservation initiatives at our property – including installing and maintaining several bat houses and starting a bat monitoring program. This has also led to new night hikes and public bat monitoring programs. In order to better support the property, John has even attended DNR chainsaw certification classes and utilized his own equipment to better serve our property (including lending his personal tools, chainsaw, mowers, and tractor for various projects.)
John’s initiative and drive to support the park is unmatched. His first-year volunteering was marked by an incredible initiative to quickly complete any project he felt was within his skill set. He would consistently seek out new maintenance projects to help with – never needing to ask what he should do, but instead finding a current problem, determining a solution, seeking out proper approvals, and then quicky completing the project. (Often donating his own one or supplies to make the project happen.)
Since his beginning as a park volunteer, John has attended almost every weekly volunteer workday, and on days that are not workdays, I consistently find him around property completing projects that we have previously discussed. I have depended on his presence to complete various electrical, woodworking, and exhibit maintenance projects over the last few years. At the beginning of this year, the president of our Friend’s Group was rolling off, with no successor in place. When John heard that this was a possibility and all the repercussions of an open board president position – he immediately stepped up to run for president and protect the Bong Naturalist Association. Despite his greater interest on hands-on projects, and his hesitation about this administrative work involved – he made the choice to sacrifice time spent on the maintenance work he loves, in exchange for the administrative work we desperately needed. This was a huge gift to our property and the BNA.
Though his humble nature may cause him to claim otherwise – John has been an exceptional president for the Friend’s Group. He has made strong efforts to help ensure the DNR and BNA are on the same page and working together as a team. He has worked hard to align the group more directly with park administration’s vision. One of his goals includes finding ways to spend additional monies made by the BNA and funnel it directly back into larger park improvement projects. John has completed endless hours of administrative work, and STILL has managed to find time to complete many hands-on maintenance projects as well!
John Davies has gone above and beyond to serve Richard Bong State Recreation Area each and every year he has volunteered – but this year he has shown an even larger dedication and commitment to our Friend’s Group and the RBSRA property. This year alone, John has given over 550 hours of volunteer time to the property (and I suspect his hours are slightly under-reported!) John Davies is an exceptional asset to the property and should absolutely be recognized for his extraordinary serve to the DNR and the BNA.