Volunteer Observers Receive John Campanius Holm Award

WFO Little Rock Observation Program Leader Jimmy Russell poses with Holm Award recipients Lela and Bill Cooper (Photo: Michael Reid, WFO Little Rock)

(June 23, 2006) - In recognition of 30 years of dedicated service, Deer, Ark. residents Lela and Bill Cooper have received a National Weather Service John Campanius Holm Award. This year's coveted Holm Award was presented to 25 people who have performed exceptional volunteer service as a weather observer. The Cooper's award was presented by Little Rock Weather Forecast Office Meteorologist-in-Charge Renee Fair.

Bill Proenza, director of the National Weather Service Southern Region, said, The Coopers and the thousands of cooperative observers across the nation give generously of their time and energy because of their interest in weather and dedication to our country. We honor them and thank them for their commitment.

The Coopers report their daily observations without fail and routinely provide the WFO with midday precipitation updates, as needed. They also relay severe weather reports in their area to the WFO, and provide verification information whenever requested. In addition to providing NWS observations, they have also participated in air quality programs for the University of California and the National Park Service in Fort Collins, Colo.

The NWS Cooperative Weather Observer Program has provided scientists and researchers with continuous observational data since the program's inception more than a century ago. Today, some 11,700 volunteer observers participate in the nationwide program to provide daily reports on temperature, precipitation and other weather factors such as snow depth, river levels and soil temperature.