The winner provides ongoing educational support or programming, provides a stewardship message through events and programs, and/or organizes events that support the park and/or the gateway communities.

Wayne Sierer is a retired science teacher who taught for more than 30 years at Wilson High School near Reading. Wayne has been an incredible volunteer for decades, giving thousands of hours of his own time and using his own money while traveling to multiple state parks and state forests. Wayne is an amazing birder and he has conducted countless Breeding Bird Atlas surveys and point counts in Bald Eagle State Forest, Moshannon State Forest, Sproul State Forest, Black Moshannon State Park, the Quehanna Wild Area, the West Rim Trail in Tioga State Forest, and Colton Point State Park.  He helped with surveys for cerulean warblers at Blue Knob State Park and marsh birds at Moraine State Park.  

When a series of transects to survey and monitor grassland birds at a reclaimed strip mine in the Gallitzin State Forest was established a few years ago, Wayne became an integral part of collecting data that DCNR land managers can use to determine where to focus projects that will improve habitat for several threatened and endangered grassland bird species.  Recently, when Wayne learned that the saw-whet owl banding station at King’s Gap State Park was in desperate need of volunteers, he eagerly volunteered to help.  He did this even though he would have to travel over an hour there and back each time, often leaving the site well after midnight to return home.  

With his volunteer efforts at many state parks and state forests over the course of many years, Wayne has helped to advance the mission of the PPFF and DCNR in many ways. His “can do” attitude and enthusiasm for conservation are infectious.