Wildlands Conservancy announced its honorees for the organization's 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Volunteer of the Year award is Wildlands' annual acknowledgment of individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that deserve to be recognized for their share of time and talent to support the nonprofit land trust's land protection, environmental stewardship and education efforts.The recipients are: The ARC of the Lehigh & Northampton counties, Via of the Lehigh Valley, Bill Erdman and Jerry McAward.Jerry McAward: The owner of Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Northeast PA Kayak School, McAward is well-accustomed to connecting people with the Lehigh River.For more than 18 years, he's been sharing his talent with Wildlands by leading the volunteer safety team for organization's annual Lehigh River Sojourn. Additionally, he's involved in training Wildlands' Bike & Boat Adventures team, is a passionate spokesman for local conservation and a valued sounding board for Wildlands' strategic efforts.The ARC of Lehigh & Northampton counties and Via of the Lehigh Valley: Both of these organizations are a local resource for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their combined talents have gifted Wildlands for more than a decade with eager adults who regularly help with the caretaking of the land trust's 77.5-acre, Emmaus-based Pool Wildlife Sanctuary.They commit a huge share of time to clearing debris from the popular boardwalk situated on the preserve's Floodplain Trail, weeding, trimming and maintaining native plant areas.Bill Erdman: Recently retired, Erdman is the past president of Keystone Consulting Engineers Inc., a Lehigh Valley consulting engineering firm, and is among Wildlands most dedicated and well-rounded volunteers.His share of countless hours includes past service as board member, chairing the organization's development committee and involvement with various other committees. Most stand out is Erdman's consistent ability to view across the organization; he possesses a sharp awareness of all the interlocking parts and how best to move initiatives forward.He's often the first to say "Yes!" to whatever needs to be accomplished from personal outreach and raising friends to trash cleanups and hauling canoes as part of Wildlands' annual Lehigh River Sojourn.He is celebrated for his lead-by-example approach and his continued support of local conservation through Wildlands.In June of this year, McAward connected with the Kuhns family, most especially their son, Aaron.The Saucon Valley eighth-grader with cerebral palsy paddled alongside classmates for the school's year-end Lehigh River trip, thanks to his adventurous spirit and McAward's more-than-gracious personality.Wildlands Conservancy is the premiere nonprofit land trust of the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed.It has been creating lasting connections to nature since 1973 through land protection, environmental stewardship and education. The group's mission is kept alive through the committed support of the community and like-minded businesses.Wildlands has protected more than 50,000 acres of high-conservation value lands, it benefits more than 14,000 school-age children annually through environmental education and is perpetually focused on improving water quality and wildlife habitat within and beyond its nine nature preserves totaling more than 2,600 acres.Wildlands' main office, together with the Air Products Environmental Education Center, is headquartered at its Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus.For more information about the organization and its programs visit

www.wildlandspa.org.Awards will be presented during Wildlands' annual volunteer appreciation event at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Walnutport Canal Association pavilion, located at 309 Lehigh St., Walnutport.