Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 15, 2015
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
DCR's Poole recognized for distinguished service
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA — The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals has recognized Danette Poole of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation with its Distinguished Service Award.
The award is presented annually to individuals who’ve made a significant contribution to the outdoor recreation profession.
Poole was recognized for her leadership in producing the 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan, the state’s five-year comprehensive plan for outdoor recreation and land conservation. That edition was the first in 50 years to be completely paperless, and it features an online tool for mapping outdoor recreation resources across Virginia.
“Throughout her career, Danette has shown an unparalleled commitment to the great outdoors by planning and facilitating public use of Virginia’s cherished landscapes,” SORP President Sergio Capozzi said. “She is a proven leader in outdoor recreation and conservation, and a role model for other outdoor recreation professionals around the country.”
Poole is the director of planning and recreation resources for DCR. She has a long history with the agency, starting in 1976 as a seasonal worker at First Landing (then Seashore) State Park in Virginia Beach. She went on to work as a chief ranger, interpreter, assistant manager and manager at other Virginia state parks before becoming manager of Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry County in 1989. In 2008 Poole joined the department’s planning staff in Richmond and was promoted to division director in 2010. She manages several program areas including outdoor recreation grants, state park site selection and master planning, state trails and capital construction.
Poole has a B.A. in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. She and her husband Jim have two grown children and live in Providence Forge, Virginia.
SORP is the nation’s leading association for outdoor recreation professionals. Its mission is to promote, advance and serve outdoor recreation professionals in research, planning, management and policy development.
The award was presented in April during the society’s annual conference, which was held in Annapolis, Maryland.
An accompanying photo is available from Flickr.
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