2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner: Celebrating the Dedicated People Who Power Tyler

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Tyler Arboretum staff hosted one of our favorite nights of the year for some of our very favorite people at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner.

“Here at Tyler, we find ourselves in a good place, surrounded by good people, doing good things,” Volunteer Coordinator Lexi Fowler said as she opened the night’s ceremonies.

Specifically, for the period of time from September 2023 through August 2024, we had 215 volunteers, 119 of whom who contributed 20 hours or more, serving in 23 different volunteer positions, for an amazing combined total of 12,771 hours volunteered this year – an increase of 795.5 hours over the year before!

Executive Director Mike Skuja expressed his gratitude to the packed audience in Tyler’s Barn Loft, noting that their efforts are equivalent to the work of 6.5 full-time staff members. He especially thanked our volunteer educators who played a huge role in being able to resume school field trips in Spring 2024 for the first time since Covid-19.

Board of Trustees President Heather Saunders noted that the work of Tyler’s volunteers is truly “priceless,” given their impact on everyone who visits the arboretum and every living thing within it.

During the ceremony, Tyler staff members recognized six individuals with special awards after a lengthy nominating process. Volunteers serving a minimum of 100 hours were also recognized for their time and dedication.

“The work we do here would not be possible without your help. From all of us here at Tyler, thank you!” Lexi said as the awards ended.

Magnolia Level Volunteers: 100-249 Hours | Horticulture

David Collins
Lee Alyanakian
Patricia Lobell
Sandra Cornelius
Sonia Gong
Mei McNeill
Deborah Consoli
Joseph Tyson
Heather Gray
Meghan Bartley
Barbara Knight
Beth Fast
Emile Four
Rena Barnett
Diane Collings
John Koethe
Henry Ewing
Theresa Conway
Louise Rowland
Robert Hoover
Marc Wertheimer
Sylvia Bachmann
John Mercer
Nancy Bruce
Betsey Ney
Karen Hoover

Sequoia Level Volunteers: 250-499 Hours | Horticulture

Jack Rutkowski
Mary G. McCoy
John J. McCoy
Jack Nixon
Brian Layton
Thomas Renkey

Magnolia Level Volunteers: 100-249 Hours | Education

Carol Pitts
Eric Long
Paul Strommer
Sarah Boucas Neto
Susan Fredrick
Kathleen Harden
Richard Cloud
David Eberly

Sequoia Level Volunteers: 250-499 Hours | Education

Joan McClintock

Volunteering at Tyler

Volunteers play an essential role at Tyler Arboretum. From gardening to guiding and mail processing, our volunteers are highly engaged in daily activities to support and fulfill our mission. Learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer here.

Rookie of the Year

Janice Van Horne

Read Director of Education Chris Lauf''s remarks honoring Janice Van Horne.

When I think of the qualities I value in volunteer educators, here are the sorts of things that come to mind:

Jumping onto the team with a great attitude. This means signing up for things, even when you aren’t exactly sure what the job might entail.

An eagerness to learn and the ability to reflect on your practice. This means having a hard day, acknowledging how hard it was, and then doing the hard work to reflect on what happened and decide what you might try next time.

To model being your whole self in nature, whatever your relationship to nature might be, which allows students to show up as their whole selves too. This requires vulnerability. To acknowledge that we don’t know everything and that in fact sometimes it feels like we know less about being in nature than the students we are leading. To know that what counts is showing up, noticing things about the natural world, and sharing them with others with the invitation that they do the same.

This year’s rookie of the year demonstrates all of these qualities. She also jumps in to almost any random opportunity we have, including tabling at an event, cleaning classrooms and organizing supplies before summer camp, dressing up for the Halloween Walk, and helping to restore the Painter Brother’s gravesite.

Congratulations to the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Janice Van Horne!

Communications Award

Dave Charlton

Read Digital Media and Marketing Manager Rachel Keane's remarks honoring Dave Charlton.

Tonight, I have the honor of recognizing someone whose talents and dedication have truly enriched Tyler Arboretum in countless ways.

This individual has an incredible gift for capturing the beauty and essence of Tyler through photography. From adorable birds and fascinating moths to vibrant fungi, berries, and breathtaking landscapes, their photos are consistently stunning—each one a work of art. Whenever we need to make a lasting impression, whether it’s for a holiday card, an invitation, or another special project, their photos are always the first I turn to.

But what makes their contributions even more remarkable is the thoughtfulness and knowledge behind each image. Every photo comes with plants and birds identified with scientific accuracy—combining beauty with education. It’s this perfect blend of art and information that makes their work so impactful and such a powerful communicator of Tyler’s mission.

Beyond their photography, this person has made a significant impact in engaging others with Tyler. Through monthly walks outside the fence, they inspire participants to connect with the wonder and science of this special place, all while deepening an appreciation for nature. They even take the time to update us when new photos are ready to explore—a detail I greatly appreciate!

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to communication, and there is no doubt that this individual exemplifies its purpose. They don’t just capture Tyler—they help others see, understand, and fall in love with it.

For that, and so much more, I am thrilled to present this year’s Communications Award to Dave Charlton. Dave, thank you for everything you do for Tyler!

All Star Award #1

Woody Kotch

Read Pollinator Preserve Coordinator Nancy Heinbaugh's remarks honoring Woody Kotch.

You might find this person in the North Woods with a camera, walking slowly so as not to miss any wildlife, especially focused on the insects among the plants. Or this person could be seen leading a tour along one of our trails discussing habitat, native plants or our changing ecology. One day I heard clapping and cheering. As I looked towards the sounds – there was our volunteer finishing a tour that was clearly appreciated by the attendees.

Most often, this person is at the Pollinator Preserve immersed in conversation with our visitors, young and old. The kids are fascinated at what this volunteer is sharing with them, hardly realizing they are learning. Adults are equally captivated as they connect with this tiny world filled with insects and plants.

Last year, this person asked me to be a reference for their application to become an ambassador for the Xerces Society. This summer Tyler was able to offer new programming thanks to this volunteer, as were some of our local libraries.

Did I mention that he is a PA Master Naturalist?

I’m thrilled to announce Woody Kotch as a recipient of this year’s All Star Award.

All Star Award #2

Nancy Bruce

Read Lucille's Garden Senior Gardener Bess Trout's remarks honoring Nancy Bruce.

It is so hard to narrow down everything that could be said about Nancy Bruce to just a minute or so because she truly is an All Star.

She is without a doubt one of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. She has an uncanny ability to know exactly when we need her to sign up, whether it’s a rainy Saturday harvest day when we are very low on extra hands, or when we have an entire 12 foot tall fence line to clear of invasive species.

And any task she takes on she does with a thoughtful competence and an air of patience and genuine kindness. Her quiet calm is an essential addition to the most frantic of volunteer days, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if Nancy tells us she’s on it, whatever IT is will be done and done well.

It’s because of those things, and so much more, that in Lucille’s and beyond we’ve really come to rely on her.

Nancy, I count myself as tremendously lucky that the volunteer crew at Lucille’s Garden and in Hort is a place where you choose to spend your time, and there isn’t a staff person here who isn’t grateful for everything you’ve done for us and for Tyler.

So, it is my very great pleasure to present you with a Tyler All-Star Award.

Leadership Award #1

John Mercer

Read Senior Gardener Mallory Smyth's remarks honoring John Mercer.

I’ve known John since I began working here as a seasonal gardener in 2014. I quickly realized his patience and devotion when he assisted me in removing two really ugly shrubs in the Native Woodland Walk.

While he may have a love/hate relationship with these characteristics, he always wants to make sure that the project he is working on is done thoroughly and to completion.

I have a few other examples.

In winter, we de-sucker our magnolia collection. He happily jumps on the ladder and reaches the tallest suckers while we stand on the ground and climb smaller ladders to work together and get the job done. He knows how much work we have to squeeze into each season and always asks to come in outside of our normal volunteer workdays to help finish, so we can hop onto our next tasks.

This summer he took on a few solo projects that were needed. He prepped and re-painted benches throughout the arboretum and recently did some renovating and re-painting in Thoreau’s cabin. He came in additional days to help complete this, going above and beyond to help make Thoreau’s Cabin shine for fall visitation.

And then there’s multi-flora rose and pokeweed. These are two plants that he must get all of the roots out.

Did I share how patient he is? Thank you so much for your work on the hort team, John.

We are so grateful for you.

Leadership Award #2

Heather Gray

Read Director of Education Chris Lauf's remarks honoring Heather Gray.

This year’s second Leadership Award recipient is a multiskilled triple-threat working with the Horticulture department on the Native Woodland Walk where she battles her arch nemesis, Asiatic bittersweet, and as the Communications lead for the Natural Areas Team, as well as being an educator in the Pollinator Preserve as well as on school field trips.

This volunteer steps up with passion and willingness whenever help is needed, including when a brand-new Education Director was desperately seeking guides for our first pilot field trip last fall with about a week’s notice and a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants curriculum.

I especially admire this volunteer’s ability to notice potential issues before they happen, and to bring attention to them in a solution-oriented, collaborative spirit. Most of all, I see this volunteer embodying all of the qualities of a great educator, and doing it with diligence, skill, and a huge amount of heart.