Nancy and Larry Mauter are the Linn County Small Woodlands Association “volunteers of the year” for 2021.

The couple live on their 15 acres of mix aged, mix-species forest near Waterloo. They purchased the property in 1997, replanting fir and Ponderosa pines. They have been participants in the annual seedling sale for the past five years as well as judging 4-H scholarships.

“Larry and Nancy Mauter have been, this past year, the voices of enthusiasm and creativity for our Linn County Small Woodlands group,” said Tim Otis, LCSWA chapter president. “From writing for the Quarterly Bark, to helping other board members with their duties, as well as being the project managers for the Sunnyside Park Kiosk and planting, they inspire the best in all of us,” Otis said.

Nancy was on the Bob Mealey scholarship selection committee this year and has worked in outdoor education with sixth graders. She is a member of Women Owning Woodlands Network and is currently taking the pollinator stewardship program through OSU Extension service.

Larry is a retired newspaper journalist. He has been a LCSWA board member for five years, occasionally filling in as board secretary. He has contributed to the Quarterly Bark and LCSWA website. He has also been involved with the Bob Mealey Ponderosa pine project, coordinating with Linn County staff to produce environmental education signs to be installed at Sunnyside Park later this year. Young pines were planted in March as part of the project.

The Mauters and other OSWA chapter volunteers were recognized at the July 23 virtual OSWA annual meeting.