OLYMPIA – June 13, 2019 – Pamela McConkey, Winter Recreation Program manager, has received the Administrator’s Professional Award for Excellence from the International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA).
McConkey was recognized by her peers for her many accomplishments, dedication and passion for organized snowmobiling and elevating the sport within Washington state. The award was presented June 8, at a banquet during the International Snowmobile Council Congress. Awardees are nominated by other administrative members of the IASA.
“Pamela is a fabulous administrator who contributes selflessly to the group with the goal of making snowmobiling better for all,” said IASA Chair Chris Gamache. “She’s very much a positive member of the group; it was an honor to present her with this award.”
Peggy Spieger of the Oregon State Snowmobile Association made the nomination with assistance from Florence and Wayne Mohler of the Washington State Snowmobile Association.
“Pamela always goes beyond what’s expected,” Wayne Mohler said. “She does a lot of outreach to the snowmobile and other communities and does a lot to promote the sport.”
“I was both surprised and honored to receive this prestigious award from my peers,” McConkey said. “I really appreciate all the work our state’s snowmobile association and the State Parks and Recreation Commission have done on the behalf of snowmobiling.”
McConkey also was recognized for:
- Her involvement with the IASA’s avalanche and by-laws committees.
- Successfully seeking changes in the 2019 legislative session that resulted in the elimination of the need to purchase a daily Discover Pass along with a daily Sno-Park permit for State Parks Sno-Parks.
- Creating a registration process for snow bikes, with revenue going into the state’s snowmobile account. (2019 Legislature incorporated snow bikes into the definition of a snowmobile.)
- Keeping snowmobilers informed of ongoing issues and activities through the agency’s social media and by attending numerous snowmobile events and meetings.
- Seeking common ground and fostering good relationships between motorized and non-motorized winter recreation enthusiasts.
- Submitting successful grant applications for funding from the national Recreation Trails Program (RTP), most recently $225,000. RTP grant funding helps pay for trail grooming and snow removal.
- Creating an activity booklet for young snowmobilers.
- Improving safety and providing timely grooming reports with more than 50 GPS tracking devices mounted on trail-grooming equipment.
The International Association of Snowmobile Administrators has representatives from 27 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, three Canadian territories and Sweden. The organization promotes sound management of snowmobile safety; uniformity and enforcement of laws, rules and regulation; harmonious relationships with the environment and wildlife; and the collection, development and dissemination of information in collaboration with other trail user groups. For more information about the IASA, visit: https://www.snowiasa.org/
About Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program
The Winter Recreation Program manages more than 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 300 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and more than 120 Sno-Parks (plowed parking areas near snowmobile and cross-country ski trails). The Winter Recreation Program is supported entirely by user fees, snowmobile registrations and a percentage of the state fuel tax. For more information, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/130/Winter-recreation
News media contacts:
Toni Droscher, Communications Office, (360) 9020-8604
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
News release number: 19-043