Donald and Diane McNutt receive FLC's Gem of a Volunteer award - Lila and Jack Sandschulte honored for 23 years of service

FALLBROOK – Major contributors to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy (FLC) were honored May 14, at the Emerald Grove Recognition Dinner held at the home of Don and Peggy Durling in Rolling Hills. The FLC’s Gem of a Volunteer award for 2011 was presented to Diane and Donald McNutt for their years of volunteer work with the Save Our Forest branch of the FLC.

“Diane has been instrumental in creating and developing ideas for outreach programs that encourage volunteerism in the community, and involving school children in Save Our Forest programs,” said FLC chairman Wallace Tucker, “and Don has been a jack-of-all-trades in helping with the Treescape project and maintaining benches in the downtown area.”

Also attending the 11th annual awards event was Haley Peterson, representing County Supervisor Bill Horn. Peterson presented a proclamation from the County of San Diego to former board members Lila and Jack Sandschulte for their 23 years of service on the board.

The Sandschulte’s were recognized for “helping to raise the profile of the organization in the community and encouraging scores of generous individuals, families and organizations to make significant contributions of time and funds especially for the annual Stage Coach Sunday event.”

Conservancy executive director Mike Peters outlined the many restoration projects now underway on FLC preserves and other projects in the works in his “State of the Conservancy” report.

Contributors to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy qualify to be Emerald Grove members by donating land or more than $1,000 in a year to the organization. In 2010, there were 34 organizations, businesses, couples and individuals who contributed at that level. Among the Emerald Grove honorees present at this year’s event were Jean Dooley of the Angel Society of Fallbrook; Jerri Patchett of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance; Karen and Jim Hall; Dawne Goodwin McCullough; Diane and Donald McNutt; Peggy and Don Durling; Jan and Bill Schultz; Patti and Gary Johnson; Flo and Al Pinamonti; Renee Ingold; Megan and Wicker Gamble; Joy Williams; and Vince Ross.

Over the course of 23 years of operation, the FLC has acquired and permanently protected 1,848 acres of land and 666 acres of conservation easements valued at $10 million at the time of acquisition, and has spent $2 million to manage and enhance the land. More than 80 percent ($720,000) of funding for these programs has come from contributions by individuals, businesses and community organizations. Learn more at http://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org.