President’s Volunteer Service Award

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of Hiking Heroes from our chapters across Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Southern California, and Northern California for their tremendous efforts over the past year. Together, we have made significant strides in enhancing our local environments through a variety of impactful activities. Our initiatives included park clean-ups, tree planting, invasive plant removal, beach clean-ups, food donations, and extensive research on local ecosystems. Each of these activities not only contributed to the betterment of our communities but also fostered a sense of teamwork and commitment among our members.

As a testament to our hard work and dedication, I am proud to announce that our chapters have once again received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold this year, continuing a proud tradition we have established over the last three years. This recognition highlights the collective impact we are making in our respective communities.

This year has also brought exciting developments with the establishment of a new chapter in Jeju, South Korea. This chapter is uniquely positioned to implement essential environmental initiatives that cater to the island's specific ecological needs. The members are actively engaged in local conservation efforts, addressing challenges that arise from their island environment. Additionally, our Seoul chapter has partnered with another service organization to conduct fascinating research on the environment surrounding the Korean Demilitarized Zone during the summer. This project not only raises awareness about the ecological significance of that area but also engages our members in critical environmental issues.

Looking ahead, I am eager to hear from the Seoul chapter in our upcoming meeting next month. They will be sharing their research findings, and I believe it will provide valuable insights and foster further discussion on our environmental initiatives.

Thank you all once again for your hard work and dedication. Together, we are making a difference!