Tag Archive for: Olivenhain Fire Safe Council

(L to R) Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Park Supervisor Jeff Anderson, volunteer Keith Kelly, rangers Jonathan Zeller and Shawnn Schaub, volunteers Walter Haslop and Pure Excellence winner Mike Dzurko, Escondido Creek Conservancy Land Manager Donna Leon, and volunteers Rich Riemer, Debbie Matsumoto, and Marvin Valverde at Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD Announces 2025 Pure Excellence Awards

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) recognized the winners of its 2025 Pure Excellence Awards at its November board meeting. The winners were honored for their positive impact on OMWD and local communities.

OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn said, “We are grateful for the efforts of our award winners for their partnership in delivering excellent service to OMWD customers and our communities.”

2025 Pure Excellence AwardS winners: Front row (L to R): Olivenhain Fire Safe Council board members Jennifer Bishop, Jeff Dasch, and Sara Lifton; Beverly Weber, and Cass Arrieta President Wes Wise. Back row (L to R): OFSC board member Hector Paredes, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Chief McQueade, OMWD President Matthew Hahn, and RSFFPD President James Ashcraft. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

2025 Pure Excellence Awards winners: Front row (L to R): Olivenhain Fire Safe Council board members Jennifer Bishop, Jeff Dasch, and Sara Lifton; Beverly Weber, and Cass Arrieta President Wes Wise. Back row (L to R): OFSC board member Hector Paredes, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Chief McQueade, OMWD President Matthew Hahn, and RSFFPD President James Ashcraft. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

2025 Pure Excellence Awards Winners

Businesses of the Year: B Weber Consulting and Cass Arrieta. For providing exceptional customer service and responsiveness during urgent situations.

Nonprofit of the Year: Olivenhain Fire Safe Council. OFSC has shared wildfire prevention and preparedness information through its “Neighborhood Ambassador” program and at community events, such as OMWD’s open house and emergency preparedness event.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District will lead a wildfire prevention workshop and display a fire engine (events permitting). Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District emergency preparedness

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District led a wildfire prevention workshop and displayed a fire engine at a public open house in August. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Community Outreach of the Year: Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. OMWD and RSFFPD collaborated on many media events, press releases, state legislation, and joint water- and fire-wise landscape workshops and emergency preparedness community meetings in 2025.

Volunteer of the Year: Mike Dzurko. Dzurko welcomes visitors at the interpretive center at OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, familiarizing the public with the Reserve and its natural habitat. He has volunteered for 84 shifts over the past 24 months.

NOTE: The Coast News Group named the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve its “Best Place to Volunteer” in its 2025 Best of North County Awards after an online vote that included 18 other candidates.