When she was a little girl, Merlene (Knotts) Stiles rode her favorite horse through the woods at the edge of the city.

Some days rider and horse had the woods, a forest of more than 200,000 trees, to themselves. Every day was Earth Day, a time for a teenager coming of age to appreciate nature.

Now, the Nature Center appreciates her.

Stiles was named 2003 Volunteer of the Year Tuesday night.

Larry Dolphin, director and naturalist, presented the award at the annual "A Celebration of Giving" volunteer and Friends of the Nature Center appreciation night.

Stiles, who teaches science classes for juniors at Austin High School, has served five years on the Friends of the Nature Center board of directors. For the last three years, she has been president.

She and her husband, Jim Stiles, own and operate Super Fresh Produce. They have three children: Andrea, Gabrielle and Jay.

"We enjoy the Nature Center so much," she said. "We bring the children here often and attend the nature programs they offer. I also help with the science programs at the Nature Center."

Stiles said Dolphin and assistant Julie Champlin, plus other staff, are valuable assets at the Nature Center. With severe budget cuts possibly impacting the Nature Center as much as any city program or service, Stiles said she hoped the Friends of the Nature Center and other volunteers were "up to the challenge" of continuing the center's mission.

The honor came as a surprise to Stiles. Last year, Dr. Mike Williams received the honor.

It was fitting, the recognition event took place on Earth Day, the 33rd such event of its kind. Dolphin said Earth Day was responsible for changing the environment for the better forever. He cited adoption of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act as evidence of the impact made by the grassroots movement to protect the environment and natural resources.

"This is where we live and we need to take care of it," Dolphin said of the object of Earth Day attention.

Dolphin reminded the guests of events to come this week at the Nature Center, including a 7 p.m. free Friday program in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium with Karla Kinstler and her female great horned owl, Alice. In addition, there's Saturday morning's walkathon and Steps to Preserve a Legacy fund-raiser.

"Already, we have 50 trees to be planted for which people have pledged at least $50 and we expect to have all 65 trees spoken for by Saturday," Dolphin said.

Dolphin praised the Nature Center staff, including Champlin, as well as Duane Sucha, Connie Mayzlik, intern Joe Dever and others for making the Nature Center the popular outdoor classroom and recreation center it is.

Dolphin said the Friends of the Nature Center's ambitious fund-raiser has reached the $265,000 mark enroute to a goal of $750,000 to acquire 210 acres more land and restore it to its native prairie, while increasing wildlife habitat and enhancing educational opportunities.

Dolphin singled out several members of the Friends of the Nature Center for special praise for undertaking the project.

The program was provided by David Stokes, naturalist, educator and entertainer, who is a former college roommate of Dolphin's.

For information about this week's special Arbor Week events, call 437-7519.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com