30th annual dinner celebrates invaluable contributions of KBS volunteers

Jim trains his lens on the pair of Trumpeter Swans floating on Wintergreen Lake, bringing the birds into focus. Candice carefully pores over decades-old articles and photos, piecing together a chapter of Kellogg Manor House history. Cheri checks a list once, then again, before entering figures into a spreadsheet. Each task is vital to keeping the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station running smoothly, telling its story and documenting the health of the lands and denizens of KBS. And each is driven by a dedicated volunteer.

The team of volunteers at KBS eclipses the number of paid faculty and staff; they are essential to the success of activities aligned with KBS’s mission: furthering research of natural and managed ecosystems, providing educational opportunities for students and educators, and offering high-quality outreach programs focused on environmental issues of public importance.

On Sept. 10, employees and friends of KBS gathered to recognize the efforts of the 2018-19 cohort of active volunteers—all 204 of them. Last year, KBS volunteers donated more than 7,000 hours of service, which amounted to a value of $107,176. Misty Klotz, KBS volunteer coordinator, expressed her gratitude to the group: “Thank you for donating your generous gift of time to the Kellogg Biological Station, she said. “You continue to bring your kind spirit and energy to the community year after year, and we are grateful for your support.”

Among the highlights of the dinner: recognizing longtime volunteer Jan Cornell for 30 years of service, a first according to Klotz.

New and returning volunteers kicked off the next year of representing KBS at a Thursday, Sept. 19, training session at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Volunteers received a refresher on KBS’s mission and initiatives, and were apprised of new policies.

The next volunteer training is tentatively scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2020.

KBS always welcomes new volunteers. To learn more, visit kbs.msu.edu/support/volunteer, call (269) 671-2263 or email volunteers@kbs.msu.edu.