David & Otto Smith – 2014 Volunteers of the Year
Our Stanley A. Murray Award for Volunteer Services this year went to a father & son team — David Smith and his son Otto.
David was introduced to SAHC as the Seasonal Ecologist in 1997 and since then has been a volunteer leader in many different capacities. He served as a Trustee from 2004-2010, and was a leader in SAHC’s Land Protection Strategic Planning process. He served on the Land Protection Committee and continues to serve on the Land Management Committee. For the past 17 years, David has participated in the annual Grassy Ridge Mow-Off and led guided hikes at the annual June Jamboree.
David’s son Otto has recently joined him in volunteer adventures in the Roan. For the past three years Otto has worked along side David at the Mow-Off, lopping and pulling brush to help conserve this globally imperiled habitat. After they returned home from the Mow-Off last year, David was putting Otto to bed and noticed that he was sad. When David asked what was wrong Otto said, “I think I miss Roan Mountain, Papa.”
What better pair to honor than a father and son team for their volunteer efforts to SAHC. Congratulations to David and Otto!
