SPARKS –– Susan Elliott, a Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest geologist, received a prestigious 2009 National Minerals Management Award for her outstanding contribution to the Forest Service’s Minerals Program.  Elliott received the award earlier this month in San Diego.

Elliott was recognized for her dedication, professionalism and excellence in minerals management and training and for representing the Forest Service to industry, federal and state partners and the public.

“Susan loves her work and it shows,” said Tim Abing, the minerals liaison from the Intermountain Regional Office in Ogden, Utah.

Since joining the Forest Service in 2001, Elliott has consistently provided program leadership to the Humboldt-Toiyabe’s Minerals Program.

In the face of an unyielding minerals workload, Elliott does her job with professionalism, efficiency and pride.

Elliott expressed her sincere gratitude for the support from the Forest Service’s Intermountain Regional Office in Ogden, Utah, for fellow Humboldt-Toiyabe staff and the Forest Minerals Team upon receiving the award.  

Elliott also recently won the $2,500 grand prize from the Weather Channel’s 2009 Capture the Fall Photo Contest for six images of the Ruby Mountains in northeast Nevada. These mountains are sometimes called the “Yosemite of Nevada”. Her photographs were selected from more than 100,000 entries. Judging panelists considered creativity, quality and adherence to the theme and included top photographers from Backpacker Magazine, National Geographic Magazine and Shutterstock.com.

View Elliott’s photos on rubymountainphotograpy.com.