Farmington Bay volunteer honored with ‘Birder of the Year’ nomination after more than 20 years of service

FARMINGTON, Utah (ABC4) — Volunteers across the state help the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources fill in the gaps with programs and facilities here in Utah. One of these volunteers received a special nomination for his dedication.

In Farmington, volunteers help the Eccles Wildlife Education Center provide a gateway to the Great Salt Lake Wetlands. When you get there, you might meet Larry McClurg. He’s been welcoming guests and sharing this beautiful part of our state for over 20 years.

“It’s such a neat place, there’s wildlife, there’s scenery. It’s beautiful,” Larry McClurg explained.

Just west of I-15 in Farmington sits the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, an 18,000-acre wetland complex that is managed for waterfowl and a variety of water birds. It’s a place many may not have noticed.

“I don’t know the percentage, but I would guess it’s pretty high of people who don’t even know this area exists. That’s why I try to inform them,” McClurg shared.

This place has been a weekly stop for 85-year-old McClurg. He has been volunteering at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center off and on for more than 20 years.

“When people come in to visit us, they need some information. So I give them information about the Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area,” McClurg said.

It is volunteers, just like McClurg, who help make the education center work. They host students on field trips and anyone else who wants to learn about the 18,000 acres for migratory and nesting shore birds.

Ashley Kijowski is the coordinator for the center. She explained that the volunteers help to make up the difference at the center. They clean, they maintain the grounds, and they help run the education center when visitors arrive.

“I honestly think we couldn’t do anything that we do out here without our volunteers,” Kijowski said.

Ashley has been so grateful for the volunteers — she nominated McClurg for the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Birder of the Year. McClurg thought it was unnecessary, but he did it.

“I think there are people more qualified than I am, but I said yes, I would,” he said.

For the people McClurg has helped, his 20 years of kindness and wisdom have made a difference as he shares the beauty of this part of Davis County.

“The more you learn about nature, the more beautiful this world is,” McClurg shared.

There are events throughout the year at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center; you can learn more about them on their Facebook Page.