The Bureau of Land Management’s 2022 INSPIRE Award Winners

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships Directorate (HQ400) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Inspirational Interpretation and Resource Education (INSPIRE) Awards.

• Lindsay Brandt, an educational technician at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) is the 2022 INSPIRE Award for Education winner.
• Anica Mercado, a park ranger at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) is the 2022 INSPIRE Award for Interpretation winner.

Lindsay Brandt was selected for her leadership in the development of a new virtual bridge linking K-8 students and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area through education programming.  Her work adapting the site’s standards-based education curriculum to the virtual platform demonstrates innovation, creativity, originality and greatly expands the number of students reached.

Anica Mercado was selected for her leadership in applying her personal experience to the creation of an interpretive video designed to reach, engage, and impact visitors to public lands who might be contemplating suicide or self-harm.  The two-and-a-half-minute video she recorded, edited, and captioned demonstrates creativity, honesty, and courage and serves as an important interpretive tool that enhances visitor safety and awareness at Red Rock Canyon NCA.

The INSPIRE Award recognizes BLM employees who have made significant contributions to BLM programs, initiatives, projects, and events through innovative interpretation and education.  INSPIRE Award selections are based on the caliber of service and the extent to which program needs are fulfilled.  Two INSPIRE Award winners are selected each year: one for accomplishments in interpretation and one for achievements in education. Lindsay and Anica will be honored at the National Association for Interpretation National Conference, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio.  The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also recognize their top interpreters and educators at the ceremony.