NEWS
A Message from the Corps Foundation
The Corps Foundation lost its guiding light and spirit on March 13, 2026, with the passing of Darrell Lewis, Founding Member of the Foundation.
Darrell Lewis was instrumental in creating the Corps Foundation in 2006 after his retirement as the Chief of the Natural Resources Management Branch – US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters. Darrell had the foresight and vision for a well-informed public and national network of partners working to sustain Corps lakes and waterways for generations to come. He believed this vision would solidify the value and raise the profile of the Natural Resources Management Program for the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Darrell Lewis served as a volunteer and founding member of the Corps Foundation’s Board of Directors and as the organization’s Treasurer for 13 years. His leadership and substantial knowledge positively influenced the growth of the Foundation, particularly in the areas of governance and fiscal accountability. His leadership was also instrumental in helping provide the vision and strategic direction for the Corps Foundation’s support of the Corps’ Natural Resource Management program. Under his guidance as Treasurer, the Corps Foundation successfully secured and executed numerous Coast Guard Grants that resulted in an award-winning water safety program.
The Foundation has since expanded its role to include direct grants to field projects, funded visitor facilities and education, funded advocacy efforts to enact new legislative authorities in support of recreation, and funded volunteer recognition efforts throughout USACE field projects.
The Corps Foundation awarded Darrell Lewis its Enduring Service Award in 2016 for his significant, long-term contributions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mission and the management of public lands and water, as well as his contributions to the Corps Foundation.
The Foundation Board of Directors wish to extend their condolences to the family and friends of Darrell Lewis for their loss of a generous man that made a difference to all who recreate on the lands and waters managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and who, with the creation of the Corps Foundation, left a legacy that carries on his vision.
“Enduring Service Volunteer Award” Nominations
The Corps Foundation “Enduring Service Volunteer Award” is an annual award honoring long term service (6 years or more) and outstanding accomplishments by an individual and/or families that volunteer at Corps lakes and waterways; and who have achieved results in such areas as conservation, education, recreation, safety and community engagement. Additionally, these volunteer efforts should contribute to the advancement of:
- The mission of the Corps Foundation: “The Corps Foundation engages the public to ensure the environmental health and recreational enjoyment of our nation’s lakes, lands, and waterways administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers”.
- Positive relationships between the Corps management, the visitors and the local community.
- Public knowledge of and involvement in the Corps natural resources management program.
- Partnerships and collaboration with other community organizations locally, regionally or nationally.
Applications deadline is April1, 2026. Application forms can be found HERE. Nominations will be reviewed and winners will be announced in the summer.
Posted August 2025
The Corps Foundation was recently featured with a full page advertisement (page 63) in the annual USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION of the US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. The ad page was provided free of charge by USA TODAY. Content and graphics provided by Rich Deline, a Foundation board member.
This magazine is distributed worldwide and will provide much needed visibility of the Corps Foundation to Corps of Engineers personnel and other agencies.
Please take a few moments to read this publication.
Corps Foundation Enduring Service Award Presentations
Posted May 2026
The Corps Foundation’s Enduring Service Volunteer Award honors the long-term service and outstanding accomplishments of volunteer individuals and families. Each year the Corps Foundation presents the award to two individuals or families who display exceptional voluntary leadership and have made or are making a positive difference in Corps lakes, waterways and the communities they serve.
This year’s award winners were:
- Larry Kracht, the individual award winner with over 16 years of dedicated service at Tuttle Creek Lake, Kansas
- Sharon and Mike Mick, the family award winner with 8 years of dedicated service at Burnsville Lake, West Virginia
The Enduring Service Award was established in 2016 by the Corps Foundation as a method of recognizing volunteers, who are essential to the operation of recreation areas at Corps lakes around the country.
The Corps Foundation is the only nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to supporting Corps operated lakes and waterways around the country. The awards were presented at the lake projects where the awardees volunteer.
Volunteer Larry Kracht received the Enduring Service Award for his long-time commitment to volunteer work at the Tuttle Creek Lake in Kansas. Greg Miller, Chairperson of the Corps Foundation Board of Directors presented Larry Kracht with a plaque for his excellent volunteer service and significant contributions to the Tuttle Creek Lake Natural Resource Management program over a period of 18 years.
Volunteers Sharon and Mike Mick who received the Enduring Service Award for their long-time commitment to Riffle Run Campground and Burnsville Lake. Sam Wagner, member of the Corps Foundation Board of Directors presented Sharon and Mike Mick on September 17th with a plaque for their 8 years and over 12,000 hours of excellent volunteer service at Riffle Run Campground at Burnsville Lake.
Left to right: Brian McNulty, Operations Project Manager;-(Ret), Larry Kracht and wife Judy.
The presentation to award Sharon and Mike Mick took place at Burnsville Lake which is located on the Little Kanawha River in the state of West Virginia. and was attended by Sam Wagner, Corps Foundation Board of Directors; Brian Carson, Park Ranger; Michael McCoy, Natural Resource Specialist; CPT Octavia Lewis, Huntington District Office as seen in this group photo.
The Corps Stories Anthology is for Sale!
The Corps Foundation is proud to announce that the Premier Edition of the anthology, Park Ranger Stories from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers: A Collection of Stories, Interviews, and Memories from Corps Park Rangers and Other Natural Resources Management Professionals is now for sale.
More than 70 contributors combined to create this enormous 656-page volume of institutional memories, stories, interviews, and captioned photos.
Two versions are available. The Premier Edition paperback is an 8×10 inch 656-page volume ($87.91) and is great addition to any bookshelf. A more portable and affordable e-book edition ($12.95) is also available.
Order the paperback
Order the e-book
“Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns” Boating and Water Safety Campaign
The Corps Foundation developed this new campaign through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Foundation administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Campaign materials are available at PleaseWearIt.com and will be promoted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to save lives on our nation’s lakes and rivers.
CURRENT CORPS FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
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CORPS FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE COIN
The Corps Foundation is the proud sponsor of the Volunteer Excellence coin which recognizes exceptional volunteers and draws attention to their vast skills and contributions. They play an invaluable role in helping the Corps implement its programs. Annually the work of more than 48,000 total volunteers equate to approximately 27% of the Corps’ workforce. It is hoped that such recognition will broaden awareness of the positive impact of volunteer initiatives and strengthen volunteer appreciation.
The Corps Foundation’s Volunteer Excellence coin is presented for outstanding volunteer service at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and waterways. As our nation’s official non-profit organization supporting Corps Lakes and Waterways, the Corps Foundation recognizes the vital role volunteers play in sustaining these lakes and waterways. One of the Corps Foundation’s overarching goals is to encourage a well-informed and involved public that contributes to the stewardship of Corps lakes and waterways. In today’s tight financial environment, volunteers are a prime example of how a concerned public is helping the Corps to achieve its recreation and environmental stewardship missions and public responsibility in caring for Corps lands, facilities and resources.
Natural Resource Management Strategic Plan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Management(NRM) Strategic Plan provides a framework for the future of the NRM program and ensures wise management of public access to USACE lands and waters in a manner that protects all project purposes and mission areas through responsible outdoor recreation, environmental conservation and land use management. The plan continues an already strong program, and emphasizes the need for a focused vision to make smart, well-informed, and consistent decisions while partnering with communities to serve the American people. USACE is committed to continuous improvement and partner engagement under these strategic goals.