2026 YBRA Uplift Award

The YBRA is pleased to recognize Martin Stolpe as the 2026 recipient of the YBRA Uplift Award for Outstanding Support.

Since 2008, Martin has worked as a volunteer handyman for the YBRA. He’s done everything from digging ditches and trimming trees to felling trees and preparing logs for the sawmill or rounds for the hearth in the Fanshawe Lodge. Martin is a forester, wood worker, and naturalist from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Before retirement, he enjoyed a long career as a horticulturist and park superintendent, while staying actively engaged with countless civic and professional organizations. He was first introduced to the YBRA through his longtime friend Marv Kauffman, whom he met while studying Geology at Franklin & Marshall College. Martin's love of the outdoors was clear from a very young age, when he could be found exploring the woods and creeks in the countryside north of Philadelphia where he was raised. When Martin is in camp, you can find him reading by the fire or reciting the poem ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee’ by Robert Service in dynamic form to a captivated audience.

It is with tremendous gratitude that we recognize his long time work in support of the field station facility and community. Established in 2021, the YBRA Uplift Award for Outstanding Support is given by the YBRA Board in recognition of individuals or organizations for outstanding support of the mission and activities of the YBRA.

Full list of awardees: https://ybra.org/ybra-awards/