[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE GREAT SWAMP WILDLIFE REFUGE FOR 150,000 
                            VOLUNTEER HOURS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hundreds of 
volunteers at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, who are 
celebrating the milestone of logging 150,000 volunteer service hours in 
aiding the Refuge since 1982.
  The volunteers of the Great Swamp, through their dedicated hard work, 
have made the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge a vibrant source of 
pride and activity for the local community. Although the volunteer 
program was formally founded in 1982, volunteers have been helping 
preserve the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge since it was formed 
by an Act of Congress in 1960. Over the years, volunteers have provided 
a variety of guest services and assistance with maintaining the 7,768 
acres of the Great Swamp.
  Upon arriving at the Great Swamp NWR, guests are welcomed by the lush 
gardens near the visitor center maintained by volunteers. From spring 
through fall, the volunteers staff the Wildlife Observation Center, 
where visitors are introduced to the Great Swamp and all of its trails, 
paths and ``must see'' locations. Volunteers also provide tours for 
schools and community organizations, which educate students and the 
surrounding residents about the Great Swamp and all of the wildlife and 
plants that make it so unique. As another part of their very important 
work in preserving the natural beauty of the Refuge, they join the 
effort in controlling invasive plants, which threaten to disrupt the 
Great Swamp's fragile ecosystem.
  Outreach to local communities has always been a hallmark of the 
volunteers of the Great Swamp. They help build and display exhibits at 
libraries and off-refuge events. Through these displays they are able 
to educate the community about the Great Swamp and the value the Great 
Swamp represents to the environment of Morris County and New Jersey. 
They also spread the news about the Great Swamp by giving presentations 
to various community organizations. Volunteers assist in raising funds 
through planning of special events and ceremonies.
  The hard work and dedication of the volunteers has provided $3.2 
million in value to the Great Swamp and to the American people. Their 
work on behalf of the Great Swamp has allowed the Refuge to grow into 
the one-of-a-kind educational center that it is today. Even though the 
volunteers come from all walks of life and represent all ages, their 
love of the Great Swamp and nature has built a close bond between them. 
Many of the volunteers have even taken another step in their commitment 
and have joined the independent non-profit group dedicated to 
preserving the Great Swamp called the Friends of the Great Swamp 
National Wildlife Refuge. The volunteers of the Great Swamp are truly 
the backbone of this New Jersey institution.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
all of the volunteers of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for 
150,000 hours of service to the great State of New Jersey and the 
United States.

                          ____________________