On behalf of the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, Mary Leck presented the Mary Allessio Leck Award for the year 2021 to Jack Graham in appreciation for his exceptional volunteer service to the Abbott Marshlands. Due to covid-19 gathering restrictions, a small socially distanced group surprised Jack to present the award on Wednesday, April 14th.
Kelly Rypkema of the Mercer County Park Commission also presented Jack with a Proclamation from the County Executive, Brian Hughes to honor his volunteer service as a true friend to the Marshlands and the Tulpehaking Nature Center.
For many years Jack was an important support person for kayakers on many trips through the Abbott Marshlands. As an experienced woodworker and carpenter, he is also the go-to person if there is something that needs to be built around the Nature Center, and has built everything from nesting boxes to storage racks. Jack always figures out a way to get the job done. He really is a Jack-of-all-trades.
In recent years, Jack’s been especially active helping to keep the trails safe and passible. If you’ve walked on a Marsh trail and were able to use a sturdy bridge to cross a stream or stay dry while crossing a former mud hole, you’ve probably benefited from Jack’s work.
If you have attended a recent exhibit of photos in the Tulpehaking Nature Center, you may not have stopped to think about all the work that goes into hanging the photos, but fortunately Jack was there to get it done. If the Nature Center Naturalists needed something special for education program Jack could find a way to make it. And when volunteers were needed to help with the “Hooked on Fishing” program for kids, Jack’s expertise as fisherman was invaluable.
On numerous occasions and in a variety of ways, Jack has been there with the needed skill and a generous spirit. We thank you, Jack, for all that you do!
