Chapter IKE Mike Lane received a 2024 National Conservation Award at the August members meeting. The award was presented to him by chapter President, Chris Ferguson.
Mike received the award for his contributions both to the chapter and other community conservation projects. Of particular note, Mike’s involvement was instrumental in the creation of the Jericho Lane Trailhead Project at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Mike spent many hours involved with the project from 2003 until 2024. Through his patience and dedication, working in collaboration with state and local organizations, the project was dedicated on Sept. 21,2024 to align with the refuge’s 50th anniversary.
Mike has been a chapter member since 1989 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. He has previously served on the National Board of Directors as well. He holds a degree in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech. After working for several years on wildlife projects and as a forester, he worked as a wetlands scientist for about 12 years with an environmental consulting company. He has been self-employed since 2003 as an environmental consultant. He enjoys canoeing, hunting, fishing, hiking and working on rare plant conservation efforts around his farm. He is involved in a number of conservation and outdoor recreation related projects and has served on Suffolk’s Clean City Commission for many years. He has provided guidance to the chapter on numerous conservation projects and issues over the years and has helped the chapter with a number of regulatory and property related matters. Mike chairs several chapter committees including the Conservation/ Environmental Issues committee and the Adopt-A-Road committee.
Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition of your conservation contributions to both the chapter and the community.