Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Branch offers a Conservation Volunteer Program where volunteers help maintain the natural resources found aboard the base.

During a Conservation Volunteer Program Meeting held Sept. 28 at Prince William National Forest, volunteers were recognized for their efforts.

Richard Knight received the Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by Col. David W. Maxwell, base commander.

According to the citation, Knight, a resident of Stafford, has been enrolled in the CVP for more than 15 years. During that time, he has contributed more than 2,800 hours of volunteer service to the base.

Knight’s “efforts have contributed significantly to the sustainment of natural and cultural resource assets on the installation,” states the citation.

“Knight has been the volunteer coordinator for the collection of litter at public access fishing areas. He has scheduled inspection trips, recruited other volunteers, and made routine visits to SECON Pool, Dalton Pond, Breckinridge Reservoir, Smith Lake, Wildlife Viewing Area and the Officer Candidates School boat ramp. In addition to collecting trash and litter, he has regularly [performed] weed control and other maintenance activities to add to the appearance and upkeep of these facilities. This work has been done independently and with minimal direction from the CVP program manager.

Others recognized were Dennis Mitchell and Jack Ready for 1,000 hour volunteer service.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to Jeremy Hinson, Mark Curtis, Curtis Lewis, James Kirkman and Andrew Tirch for their clean-up efforts to remove downed trees from the monument site of the second Prince William Courthouse.