Rene Ohms Brings Sustainable Practices to Jewel Cave

Rene Ohms, Physical Science Technician at Jewel Cave National Monument, has provided outstanding leadership. Her innovative ideas to save energy and recycle more items have inspired other employees to join the effort to incorporate sustainability in all park projects since 2010. Ohms coordinated efforts that led to the park's success in becoming a member of the Climate Friendly Parks Program (CFP). Because of Ohms' efforts, the park was able to complete greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and develop a modified environmental management system (MEMS) and CFP Plan, in order to attain CFP status. Jewel Cave was the first park to successfully complete a MEMS/CFP Plan. Ohms also shared her lessons learned with other parks in the Black Hills area by coordinating and leading two CFP workshops, helping these parks make their way toward CFP status.

Rene Ohms has been a "force multiplier" by inspiring other park employees to greater awareness and involvement in sustainability and energy conservation efforts. Employees have aggressively incorporated sustainability into project designs, begun carpooling, and found ways to reduce energy use. In addition, Rene and the Green Team have provided in-person and on-line training for park employees in the Green Team's role and function, and in Environmental Purchasing. Articles about Jewel Cave's progress have appeared in the Midwest Region Sustainable News In Parks (SNIPS) Newsletter of Jan. 2013 and a Case Study for Jewel Cave will appear in the upcoming NPS 2012 Annual Environmental Report. Two "Best Practices" were submitted to the My Green Parks website for reducing unwanted mail and the employee energy conservation contest.

SOURCE
http://www.doi.gov/greening/awards/2013/ohms.cfm

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Jessica Deli

Jessica Deli has been Central Region Coordinator for the NCRC since 2012 but before then she had already made her mark as a rescue specialist and cave conservationist all over the US. Deli has been involved with the National Cave Rescue Commission since 2005. With a simple Google search you will find her name everywhere participating in cave rescue training efforts. She appeared in the New York Grotto 2008 report for the Cave rescue Seminar and 2013 Orientation to Cave Rescue. In 2006 Kansas City Grotto mentioned her in the Orientation to Cave Rescue at Indiana University. Central Indiana Grotto enjoyed her demos in 2012 at the club's Vertical training. At the 2011 NSS Convention she presented "Atmospheric Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Levels in Caves: What is Normal? Preliminary Results" with Anmar Mirza. And in 2005 she was involved in the Buckner's Cave clean-up project at Indiana University Bloomington. Deli's credentials in civilian life are impressive too! T

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