GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History recently honored Janet Cornelius and Joyce Thompson as winners of the 2012 James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award.

Cornelius served 686 hours in two positions at the museum during 2011 and has completed more than 2,000 hours since she began volunteering in January 2009.

Thompson, a former school teacher, serves as a school programs docent and completed 231 hours of service in 2011. She began volunteering in the fall of 2010.

“We feel these two women truly embody the spirit of this award,” said Florida Museum education assistant Amanda Erickson Harvey. “Their service at the museum captures the character and ideals the award stands for, and they both stood out to the selection committee.”

Cornelius volunteers in the anthropology collections and as assistant registrar for anthropology loans at Dickinson Hall. She assists with paperwork, completes detailed inventories, including handling artifacts, creates and updates databases, and assists students with research projects.

“When you work with Janet you can tell how enthusiastic she is about the work,” said Elise LeCompte, Florida Museum anthropology registrar and natural history department assistant chair. “She really wants to be at the museum. Janet is really an assistant and does so much more than is asked of her. She is very valuable to us and everyone loves having her around.”

In addition to her docent position, Thompson helps families explore in the Discovery Room, greets visitors at the front desk, helps with special events and assists with outreach by traveling to local schools to educate children about the museum.

“Joyce is very positive and always has a smile on her face,” said Florida Museum education assistant Jeannette Carlisle. “She has a very positive relationship with staff, students and visitors at the museum.”

The women were recognized during the museum’s annual volunteer reception in April.

The James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize Florida Museum volunteers who show exceptional interest in museum collections, effort toward the educational advancement of children and enthusiastic support for the museum and volunteer communities. It honors Cheney, who was a Florida Museum docent for 14 years before his death in 2004.

For more information on museum volunteer opportunities, email Florida Museum volunteer coordinator Amy Hester, ahester@flmnh.ufl.edu.

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Source: Amanda Harvey, 352-273-2052, aerickson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Elise LeCompte, 352-273-1925, lecompte@flmnh.ufl.edu
Jeannette Carlisle, 352-273-2026, carlislej@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Logan Gerber
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Applications for the Florida Museum of Natural History summer 2012 junior volunteer program for students ages 12-17 are available beginning March 9 and due April 11.

Applications will be posted online at www.flmnh.ufl.edu/volunteers/vol_juniors.htm and available at Powell Hall, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville FL, 32611. Applications must be delivered to the museum or postmarked by 5 p.m. April 11.

“I think one of the main benefits for the junior volunteers is the opportunity to have their first real work experience,” said Amy Hester, Florida Museum volunteer coordinator. “All of the work is very hands-on and will hopefully help them discover a field that they’re passionate about. It’s also a great way for high school students to fulfill their Bright Futures service requirements.”

If selected, junior volunteers must serve at least two weeks during the summer or a total of 40 hours if serving as a camp assistant.

A pre-service interview scheduled for April 28 is required for all new applicants, and those selected to serve must attend training June 3.

Junior volunteers may work with students enrolled in summer camps, with children and families in the Discovery Room, interact with visitors in the permanent and temporary exhibits and catch a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work at the museum.

“Who doesn’t want to help people discover science while working the Discovery Cart or share the joy of a beautiful butterfly with a visitor in the rainforest exhibit?” Hester said. “This program is a great mix of fun and service that keeps the youth coming back.”

Last year more than 120 junior volunteers spent a total of 5,460 hours at the museum.

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Source: Amy Hester, 352-273-2055, ahester@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Leeann Bright
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Don’t miss your chance to uncover ancient fossils and possibly discover a new species at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s volunteer fossil dig Nov. 11-20 at the Thomas Farm site in Gilchrist County.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work alongside Florida Museum researchers and students to recover ancient vertebrate fossils, both big and small. The specimens become part of the museum collections, and past finds include prehistoric alligators, bear dogs, birds, rhinos and tortoises.

Digging hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are expected to work a minimum of three hours per day and may register for multiple days. In addition to digging, volunteers are also expected to spend some time washing fossil-bearing sediment through screens to recover bones and teeth of small animals.

“This is an opportunity most people never get to experience,” said Bob Tarnuzzer, who has participated in seven museum digs at three different sites. “Each day at the dig brings its own memories, new finds and experiences. It is a moving, educational experience to unearth fossils of extinct animals that lived more than 10 million years ago.”

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old as of Oct. 21 to participate. For more information, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/fall_2011.htm or email Richard Hulbert, rhulbert@flmnh.ufl.edu.

Registration forms are available online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/fall_2011.htm, and should be mailed to Richard Hulbert, PO Box 110575 Gainesville, FL 32611-0575 or faxed to 352-846-0287.

“This is the 11th consecutive year we have had a free, public volunteer fossil dig,” said Hulbert, Florida Museum vertebrate paleontology collections manager. “The public gets to see and participate in scientific discoveries in their rawest and purest form in the field.”

Volunteer David Pharr, who has participated in four digs, two at Thomas Farm, said he enjoys the experience.

“The work at Thomas Farm has given me the opportunity to work alongside others who are experts in paleontology or perhaps have other interests and passions bringing them there. In either case, they have all been a joy to work with.”

Thomas Farm is an 18-million-year-old, internationally recognized fossil-rich site. The site formed as a large sinkhole where bones of dead animals from the surrounding terrain were washed during storms.

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Source: Richard Hulbert, 352-273-1930, rhulbert@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Alyssa Wang
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History named Jane Blanchard and Jerry Hessels recipients of the James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award at a volunteer reception April 5.

Blanchard has completed more than 1,175 hours of service since she began volunteering in 2007, and works in the Lepidoptera, paleobotany and palynology collections.

“She has completed dedicated and important work in two very different areas and that’s not the norm,” said Julie Crosby, Florida Museum volunteer coordinator.

Blanchard identifies and labels butterflies and moths, catalogs plant fossils and has photographed and documented hundreds of specimens. She also was a co-author on a peer-reviewed journal article because of her extensive work on plant fossils.

Hessels began volunteering at the museum as an exhibit docent in 1989. Now 93, he continues to serve as an exhibit and school program docent and Butterfly Rainforest guide.

“He is a wonderful docent and shares his enthusiasm for lifelong learning with all visitors,” Crosby said. “Fellow docents really admire Jerry and consider him a role model.”

The James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize Florida Museum volunteers who show exceptional interest in the collections of the museum; effort toward the educational advancement of children; and enthusiastic support for the museum and volunteer communities. It honors Cheney, who was a Florida Museum docent for 14 years before his death in 2004.

Blanchard and Hessels also have been nominated for the 39th Annual Work of Heart Volunteer Awards. Established by the Volunteer Center of North Central Florida and currently sponsored by Haven Hospice, the Work of Heart Awards are presented annually to outstanding Alachua County volunteers in various categories. Winners will be announced April 26.

For more information on museum volunteer opportunities, email Crosby, jcrosby@flmnh.ufl.edu.

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Writer: Leeann Bright
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History is accepting applications for summer 2011 junior volunteers from students ages 12-17. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 7.

An application and more information are available online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/volunteers/vol_juniors.htm, or at the museum front desk in Powell Hall, near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road, during business hours.

“New applicants are encouraged to apply for this fun and educational volunteer experience where they meet new friends and gain important practical life skills,” said museum volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby.

Junior volunteers must serve at least two weeks during the summer (40 hours if serving as a camp assistant) and may work a maximum of four hours per day. A pre-service interview, required for all new applicants, will take place Saturday, April 23, and a training session from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Sunday, June 5 is required for new and returning volunteers.

Junior volunteers work with younger students in the museum’s summer camps and with children and families in the Discovery Room. They also interact with visitors in the permanent and temporary exhibits, may catch a glimpse of what goes on behind-the-scenes and celebrate their work with an end-of-summer party.

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Writer: Leila Milgrim
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History recently honored Jim Beville and Jackie Fried with the 2010 James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award.

Beville and Fried received the award March 31 at the museum’s annual reception to honor volunteers who serve throughout the museum in the collections and exhibits/programs divisions.

James “Jim” Beville was honored as the research and collections volunteer of the year. He has completed more than 1,700 hours of service since he began volunteering with the paleobotany and palynology divisions in 2006. He also has volunteered as a participant during the museum’s annual Collectors Day program.

Beville spends most of his time developing a leaf identification database program. The Microsoft Excel program is embedded in a system with a user-friendly visual interface that facilitates the presentation of leaf morphotypes. When completed, it will assist in sorting and identifying the museum’s fossil leaf collections and serve as a resource for students, researchers and scientists from around the world.

“An amazing testament to Jim’s incredible dedication to this project is the fact that his professional background is not in paleobotany,” said museum volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby. “He did a great deal of personal research and used his electrical engineering background to create this superlative database. He merges lifelong learning, skills, talent and a dedication to service to significantly contribute to the mission of the museum.”

Fried was recognized as the exhibits and public programs volunteer of the year for her 1,063 hours of service. She has served as a docent for school programs and exhibits for eight years and also served as a Butterfly Rainforest interpreter, public programs assistant and in a variety of other informal science education positions.

“Museum staff, fellow docents and visitors all recognize Jackie’s enthusiasm, knowledge and special ability to teach children about nature, science and the environment,” Crosby said. “She makes herself available to substitute for other docents and is one of the first to respond when a request for help goes out. Jackie is a great leader who is always willing to give above her regular duties.”

Fried has been involved with the planning, implementation and/or delivery of most of the education programs offered for children and adults during her time at the museum.

“School teachers will often come back to the museum year after year and request that ‘Miss Jackie’ be their docent,” said Diane Milner, who helps manage the docent program.

The James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize Florida Museum volunteers who show exceptional interest in the collections of the museum; effort toward the educational advancement of children; and enthusiastic support for the museum and volunteer communities. It honors Cheney, who was a Florida Museum docent for 14 years before his death in 2004.

For more information on museum volunteer opportunities, email Crosby, jcrosby@flmnh.ufl.edu.

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Source: Diane Milner, 352-273-2030, dmilner@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Vilma Jarvinen
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History is accepting applications for summer 2010 junior volunteers from students ages 12-17. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 5.

Junior volunteers work with younger students in the museum’s summer camps and with children and families in the Discovery Room. They also interact with visitors through Discovery Cart demonstrations in the museum’s permanent exhibits and serve as interpreters for the “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” exhibit opening May 8.

“Being a junior volunteer is a great way for students to learn how a museum works behind the scenes to present programs and events, and many of our volunteers make new friends while serving,” said volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby.

Junior volunteers must serve at least two to three weeks over the summer (40 hours if serving as a camp assistant) and may work a maximum of four hours per day. A pre-service interview, required for all new applicants, will take place Saturday, April 17, and a training session 1-4:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 6 is required for new and returning volunteers.

An application and more information are available online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/volunteers/vol_juniors.htm, or at the museum front desk during business hours.

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Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will offer a new volunteer orientation from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 The orientation includes a general overview of volunteer duties, an opportunity to view museum exhibits, and presentations by departments currently seeking volunteers.

“Volunteering at the museum is an opportunity to connect with the community and to share natural science and history with people of all ages,” said Florida Museum volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby.

The museum has many volunteer positions available. Docents guide and educate groups through various exhibits. Collections and research assistants help collect, catalogue and maintain the collections at Dickinson Hall and the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. Interpreters and naturalists assist and educate visitors about natural science topics in the Butterfly Rainforest and other outdoor areas, and horticulturalists help Butterfly Rainforest staff maintain the vivarium’s plants

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Interested individuals must attend the orientation and are asked to register online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/volunteers/ by Dec. 1. For more information contact Crosby, 352-273-2055, or jcrosby@flmnh.ufl.edu.

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Writer: Patti Nunez
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History vertebrate paleontology division will begin its annual free volunteer fossil dig Saturday, Oct. 24. The project will continue through Tuesday, Nov. 24, with work occurring from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

No previous experience is required. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, in good physical condition and be able to work a minimum of three hours a day. Visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/fall_2009.htm for more information and an application form.

This year’s dig will take place at the Thomas Farm fossil site in northern Gilchrist County near the town of Bell. The site contains a rich diversity of ancient life that lived in the Southeast about 18 million years ago. Volunteers will likely discover fossil teeth and bones of small three-toed horses, a large horn-less rhinoceros, the giant bear-dog, and Alligator olseni, the ancestor of the modern alligator.

“We have been offering these free volunteer-based fossil digs to the public since 2000,” said Florida Museum vertebrate paleontologist Richard Hulbert, who is coordinating this year’s dig. “They are part of our mandate from the state legislature to provide a program of vertebrate paleontology for the citizens of Florida, and we believe there is no better way than to allow them to find and collect fossils alongside museum scientists. The first eight years of these fossil digs added thousands of scientifically valuable fossils to the museum’s collection where they are studied by University of Florida graduate students and other paleontologists.”

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Source: Richard Hulbert, 352-273-1930, rhulbert@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History volunteer Libby Furlow was honored as Arts and Recreation Volunteer of the Year at the 38th annual Work of Heart Awards on Tuesday at the Paramount Plaza Hotel.

Furlow is also the recipient of the 2009 James Pope Cheney Volunteer of the Year award for exhibits and public programs at the Florida Museum.

Furlow has volunteered at the Florida Museum for more than 36 years, logging more than 1,000 volunteer hours in the past nine years. She has served as a docent, naturalist, Butterfly Rainforest interpreter, and horticulture assistant, and has been instrumental in planning several education and outreach programs. In addition, Furlow has been an active member of the Museum Associates since 1972, and has served on the board two terms each as secretary and as president. She currently serves as an Emerita member.

Florida Museum volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby nominated Furlow for the Work of Heart Award.

“Libby has been a wonderful asset to the museum, and represents the highest ideals of character, service, dedication,” said volunteer coordinator Julie Crosby. “She is a very deserving recipient of this award.”

Begun by the Volunteer Center of North Central Florida and currently sponsored by Haven Hospice, the Work of Heart Awards are presented annually to outstanding Alachua County volunteers in 18 categories.

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Writer: Kelly Donovan
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu