Pennsylvania Volunteer Honored for 15 Years of Fish Habitat Projects and Trout Stocking Operations

Tom Hutcheson and BenSubmitted Image

PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) recently announced that Tom Hutcheson, Butler County, has been honored with the prestigious Stanley Long Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

The award recognizes Hutcheson’s 15 years of volunteer service to the PFBC, which includes his involvement in more than 70 lake and stream habitat projects in the northwest region of the Commonwealth. Throughout his service as a volunteer, Hutcheson has contributed to the construction and placement of hundreds of fish habitat structures at lakes including Presque Isle Bay, Pymatuning Reservoir, Woodcock Creek Lake, Lake Arthur, and Glade Run Lake. Stream habitat projects that have benefitted from Hutcheson’s involvement include Ross Run, Morrison Run, Thorn Creek, Browns Run, Buffalo Creek, North Deer Creek, Caldwell Creek, Spring Creek, East Branch Sugar Creek, and Little Sandy Creek.

In addition to his contribution to habitat projects, Hutcheson has also volunteered on approximately 25 trout stocking operations annually for the past 15 years, assisting Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) throughout Forest, Mercer, and Venango Counties.

Hutcheson, a retired school teacher who resides in the Slippery Rock area, is an ambassador for fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities in his community and promotes youth involvement in conservation. Outside of the PFBC, Hutcheson has worked as a counselor for the Mercer County Conservation Camp and provided maintenance to public access areas operated by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. He is a lifetime member of the Slippery Rock Sportsmen’s Club.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.