King of Prussia, Pa. - On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Valley Forge National Historical Park's Visual Outdoor Inspiring Landscape Assistant (VOILA) volunteer team was selected as the 2022 recipient of the National Park Service (NPS) Region 1 George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service Impact Award in the team category.
Between October 2021 and December 2022, VOILA volunteers donated more than 400 hours of service in two primary areas: beautifying landscapes at the Visitor Center at Valley Forge and at Washington's Headquarters, as well as caring for young trees throughout the park. In total, approximately 100 native plants of 15 different species were sourced from three local nurseries and planted in the park. Interpretive signage was installed to educate visitors about species selection. The landscaping work in the gardens in front of the visitor center and near Washington's Headquarters improved the experience of nearly 220,000 visitors in Fiscal Year 2022 according to the NPS Service-wide Interpretive Database.
Beth Quinn, VOILA co-captain, remarked, “It is an honor and joy to be a part of the VOILA team. Often while we are working, we have the opportunity to educate the public. One visitor is now embracing his milkweed instead of digging it out."
Lee Holt, Arborist at Valley Forge National Historical Park and the staff coordinator of the VOILA landscaping volunteers said, "Our VOILA team has literally transformed our gardens into magazine-worthy native pollinator havens at our two main entrances for visitors and employees to enjoy. I feel fortunate to work closely and learn from them to keep it to the standards we achieved."
The team also supported the park’s Integrated Pest Management initiatives by hand weeding all but the most persistent weeds, minimizing the use of herbicide. VOILA's work to care for 407 young trees benefits the natural ecosystems of the park, helps to preserve the public investment of money and resources allocated to plant these trees, and is a significant contribution to the maintenance of the commemorative landscape at Valley Forge.
The National Park Service's Region 1 encompasses more than 80 NPS park units from Maine to Virginia, and the George and Helen Hartzog Award recognizes volunteers who have consistently worked and collaborated to make significant and notable improvements or achievements at their park. VOILA’s excellent work and regional recognition speaks to the positive impacts of the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
The Visual Outdoor Inspiring Landscape Assistant volunteer group at Valley Forge National Historical Park exemplifies how volunteerism connects individuals to their local national park sites, while also helping to advance the NPS mission. The public is encouraged to learn more about volunteer opportunities at Valley Forge at www.volunteer.gov.
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Lee Holt, Arborist and staff coordinator for the VOILA team speaks with volunteers about the work schduled for the day.
VOILA volunteers created small signs help visitors to identify and appreciate the plants in the gardens.
One of the gardens planted by volunteers in front of the Visitor Center at Valley Forge.
Hundreds of recently planted trees at Valley Forge were cared for by the VOILA volunteer team.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service