WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 3, 2015 - Wiley 'Dub' Lyon's commitment and enthusiasm for the National Wildlife Refuge System and Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas have earned him the 2015 Refuge System Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

Over the past 7 years as a dedicated volunteer at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, Mr. Lyon has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the refuge, donating his time and services whenever and wherever needed. Mr. Lyon has used his skills to provide the refuge with an invaluable resource.

"Wiley 'Dub' Lyon is the gold standard for volunteers in the Refuge System," said David Houghton, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. "His willingness to help out anywhere necessary from data collection to maintenance work make him an outstanding volunteer and asset to the refuge."

After building his own home and retiring from American Airlines where he supervised aircraft landing, take-off, and maintenance, Mr. Lyon found a place where he could apply his many skills – Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. After donating 1,168 hours in his first 8 months, it was apparent Mr. Lyon was not an average refuge volunteer.

Not only does Mr. Lyon serve as the volunteer coordinator and arrange the scheduling of recreational vehicle volunteers and large group volunteers, he assumes additional duties without being asked. He organized the Annual Friends Meeting and Refuge Volunteer Awards ceremony, worked with other volunteers to make sure teachers were able to schedule environmental education programs, and collected public use data for Refuge Monthly Activity Reports and Refuge Refuge Annual Performance Plan (RAPP) report. He regularly checks feral hog traps, helps with deer counts, works the deer check station, and gives PowerPoint presentations on the refuge to local groups.

When funds are tight on the refuge, Lyon is always finding ways to accomplish repair jobs in cost effective ways. His welding, plumbing and carpentry skills are in constant demand. Mr. Lyon is truly a jack-of-all-trades.

To increase his ability to help out on the refuge, Mr. Lyon has taken many classes to become certified to operate equipment, takes training courses to use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service computers, and other pertinent training classes. He has even taken classes to learn more about the Department of the Interior to better understand the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and what is being accomplished on the refuge.

Mr. Lyon has been elected as President of the Friends of Balcones twice and was elected to the Board of Directors for the past 6 years.

This year's awards will be presented at a reception in Washington, DC on March 24, 2015.

For more information or photos, please contact Emily Paciolla, epaciolla@refugeassociation.org, 202-417-3803 ext. 20.

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The National Wildlife Refuge Association is the only independent nonprofit that promotes and protects the world's largest wildlife conservation network: the National Wildlife Refuge System. www.refugeassociation.org.