AFWA Proudly Honors the Recipients of our 2014 Annual Awards

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recently recognized seven individuals, two Members of Congress, a vineyard and a group of two state agencies, five federal agencies, four nongovernmental organizations and 31 private landowners for their dedication to advancing fish and wildlife conservation at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony held on September 23, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. 


SETH GORDON AWARD

Gary Taylor received the Association’s top honor, the Seth Gordon Award for lifetime achievement in conserving North America’s natural resources in the public trust and contributing to the programs of the Association.

During the 21 years he served as AFWA’s Legislative Director, Taylor represented the collective voice of state fish and wildlife agencies before Congress and worked extensively with federal agencies to navigate difficult and often sensitive issues, build relationships and develop mutually beneficial solutions. He previously spent 19 years with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and most recently worked as Governmental Affairs Director for Ducks Unlimited.

“Gary Taylor is known for approaching his work with the utmost veracity, vigor and passion—adhering always to the highest ethical standard,” said Curtis Taylor, AFWA’s Awards Committee Chair and Chief of the West Virginia Wildlife Resources Section. “Though most of his accomplishments have been achieved well behind the façade of credit and professional accolade, the quality and integrity of Gary’s work is a touchstone and cornerstone of national fish and wildlife policy.”   

“I’ve had a very rewarding and fulfilling career being provided the opportunity to work with so many of you and our state, federal and NGO community to advance fish and wildlife conservation on the ground and later in my career through national policy,” said Taylor.  “I am particularly appreciative of the guidance, counsel and leadership of the state fish and wildlife agency directors, the cooperation of their agency staff and the dedication and commitment of my colleagues at the Association.”

JOHN L. MORRIS AWARD

The Association named Congressman John Dingell, Jr., as the recipient of the John L. Morris Award AFWA’s for citizen conservationist of the year for his exemplary leadership, commitment to conservation and undeniable sportsman’s legacy.
John L. Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, personally announced Congressman Dingell as the 2014 recipient of his namesake award though the Congressman was unable to attend the ceremony in person.

“It is my personal honor to present this award to a life-long, tireless champion for protecting fish and wildlife for the citizens of Michigan and for all Americans,” said Morris. “Without question, Congressman Dingell’s great conservation legacy is not one that will be left behind; rather, it will forever be passed forward to people of this nation who will benefit from healthy and sustainable natural resources and who will be able to experience our great and wondrous outdoors for generations to come.”

Some of Congressman Dingell’s notable accomplishments include championing the 1972 Clean Water Act, authoring the Endangered Species Act and writing the National Environmental Policy Act. He has also delivered unwavering support and protection for Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to conserve fish and their habitats.

Ernest Thompson Seton Award

The Big Hole CCAA Program received AFWA’s Ernest Thompson Seton Award for leadership in promoting scientific wildlife management in recognition of its efforts to accomplish something long thought impossible—to bring the Arctic grayling back from the brink in the Big Hole Valley of Montana.


The Big Hole CCAA Program is a group of state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations NGOs and more than 30 private landowners dedicated to proactively addressing grayling threats at a large scale. Over the last eight years, the CCAA program has provided the opportunity to complete more than 450 habitat improvement projects, putting approximately $6 million into on-the-ground conservation.

“When conservation of fish is discussed in Montana, often the Big Hole CCAA is referenced as one of the primary success stories,” said Jeff Hagener, Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). “This is an exemplary project that has come to fruition only due to the collaborative efforts of a multitude of individuals who have had a large role in the development and success of Arctic grayling conservation in the Big Hole Valley.”

Hagener and Emma Cayer with Montana FWP, Jim Magee with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners Program and Kyle Tackett with the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepted the award on behalf of the group. The award will be hung at the Hook and Horn Trading Post in Wisdom, Montana, which has a wall dedicated to Artic grayling conservation.

Mark Reeff Memorial Award

Christopher Penne, an aquatic biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), received the Mark Reeff Memorial Award for outstanding young wildlife management professional under 35. AFWA recognized Penne for his innovative habitat work and problem-solving abilities, which continue to produce great dividends for the aquatic resources, for his agency and for Utah’s anglers.

           

“It’s easy to excel when you really like what you do and when you’ve had good support. I’ve had that the whole way,” said Penne. “I’ve had really supportive parents, mentors and professors, a supportive crew in Utah and great bosses and supervisors all the way.”

Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award 

This year’s recipient of AFWA’s Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award—Gio Martorana, owner of the Martorana Family Vineyards—can answer the question of how to pair wine-making with fish. 

For many years, Martorana has implemented a variety of practices to balance production while protecting and restoring native steelhead and salmon populations at his property on Grape Creek, a tributary to Dry Creek and the Russian River in Sonoma County, California.

The Martorana Family Vineyards has worked to address many of the critical threats that salmonids face in the Russian River and other coastal streams including loss of habitat complexity and riparian cover, barriers to fish passage, water quality issues and low flow resulting from water diversions.

“I love fishing and now I have my own son to teach the ways of the outdoors. Without fish to catch, he cannot understand the feeling one gets when a fish hits your line,” said Martorana. “My son will know that feeling as long as people like us continue to do our work to preserve our fish and wildlife resources. I accept this award for all my neighbors and all of the people who have worked on Grape Creek.”

Conservation Law Enforcement Award

Wildlife Conservation Officer Lee Lawshe with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was selected as the 2014 Conservation Law Enforcement Award recipient for his strong work ethic and commitment to educating Floridians about wildlife safety and raising awareness about his agency’s mission. 

Officer Lawshe makes excellent cases whether in freshwater, saltwater or inland environments and he readily volunteers to work special details. He is also an outstanding instructor and informal peer leader to new officers and works to introduce them to the many aspects of conservation law enforcement and encourages their involvement in the community. 

“You get up every day and you go to work and you don’t always think about the impact you can make,” said Officer Lawshe. “I’d like to think that I try to do that every morning both from a law enforcement side and as a common citizen of the state of Florida. I really think that each and every contact we make as an officer is appreciated when it’s done properly.”

special recognition awards

Finally, the Association presented four special recognition awards for conservation excellence to Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) for championing conservation priorities in the 2014 Farm Bill; Mike Harris for advancing state fish and wildlife diversity programs; Steve Leggans for supporting the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program; and Cindy Delaney of Delaney Meetings & Associates for planning and implementing AFWA’s annual meetings.

In accepting her Special Recognition Award by video, Senator Stabenow conveyed the importance that, “It’s not just farmers who rely on Farm Bill programs. It’s workers in the factory that processes farm products. It’s workers in the hotels and restaurants in a region where tourists and sportsmen flock to hunt wildlife and fish. It’s people who sell sporting goods and lead guided tours.”

> Read more at AFWA’s Annual Awardsand view a list of previous winners

> Learnmore about the Martorana Family Winery & Vineyards

> Learn more about Arcticgrayling conservation

Photo l-r: 2013-2014 AFWA President Dan Forster and Seth Gordon Award recipient Gary Taylor

Teaming With Wildlife Honors Members of Congress for Helping to Keep Wildlife Off the Endangered Species List

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Teaming With Wildlife steering committee honored Senators Patrick J. Leahy (VT) and Mike Crapo (ID) and Congressmen Jim Moran (VA) and Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ) last night for their outstanding leadership to advance wildlife conservation at a Congressional Reception “Celebrating Champions of Wildlife & the Environment” held to culminate the 10th Annual Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In.

The Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In is the most important outreach event on Capitol Hill for the 6,300+ member Teaming With Wildlife Coalition to secure dedicated funding to support on-the-ground conservation action in every state and territory to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered through State Wildlife Action Plans.

“In the U.S., fish and wildlife are part of the public trust. This means that it is our collective responsibility to take care of them and the places where they live,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We appreciate these champions on Capitol Hill for their support of important legislation that invests in state fish and wildlife conservation to safeguard imperiled species and their habitats.”

Congressional award recipients were recognized for:

Senator Patrick J. Leahy (VT) – his consistent support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.

Senator Mike Crapo (ID) – his consistent support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.

Congressman Jim Moran (VA) – his consistent support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.

Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ) – his consistent support of funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program and his leadership in co-leading a Dear Colleague letter in support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.

“These are difficult fiscal times but this investment in fish and wildlife will help save taxpayer dollars in the future by preventing endangered species,” said Mark Humpert, Teaming With Wildlife Director. “The goal of preventing endangered species listings goes hand-in-hand with job creation and economic sustainability.”

At the “Celebrating Champions of Wildlife & the Environment” Reception, the Association and the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition also presented awards to two partners for their significant efforts to protect critical fish and wildlife populations.

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition Member Achievement Award was presented to the Texas Teaming With Wildlife Coalition for supporting the Texas Wildlife Action Plan through a scholarship program to support legislative advocacy that was successful in garnering support in the US Congress for the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.

The State Wildlife Action Plan Partnership Award was presented to the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation for their collaboration to lead the Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Coalition and implement the Missouri Wildlife Action Plan by managing the Missouri Mini-Grants Program.

This year, Teaming With Wildlife Fly-in participants urged their Members of Congress to help ensure there is sufficient funding in the FY11 and FY12 budgets. HR1 passed by the House of Representatives would eliminate funding for the program in FY11.

Despite historical successes in bringing many wildlife species back from the brink of extinction, other species have continued to decline as evidenced by the staggering numbers listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. State hunting and fishing license dollars, federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing gear and motorboat fuel taxes have provided the backbone for funding the nation’s state wildlife conservation programs over the past century. However, there has always been a gap in funding for species that are not hunted or fished. State Wildlife Grants have provided state fish and wildlife agencies with the resources they critically need to partially fill that gap.

For more information about Teaming With Wildlife, visit www.teaming.com.

Dr. Sally Guynn Receives Prestigious Paul C. Weikel Award

Dr. Sally Guynn, Project Leader for the Management Assistance Team and Executive Director of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, was presented with the prestigious Paul C. Weikel Award by the Organization of Wildlife Planners (OWP) on September 27, 2010.

The Paul C. Weikel Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding or distinctive contributions to improved agency management, on a national or international level. It was established in 1992 in memory of Paul C. Weikel, whose personal history of innovative management, and desire to improve agency performance, inspired the creation of the award.

Coincidentally, on the same day that she was presented with the Weikel Award, Guynn received one of the Association’s Special Recognition Awards at AFWA’s Annual Awards ceremony.

The Organization of Wildlife Planners is a professional organization concerned with the management and future of government agencies that manage fish and wildlife populations and habitat. It is an Affiliate member of the Association.

Congratulations Sally!

photo (r-l): Dr. Sally Guynn and Verdie Abel, OWP President

AFWA Honors Recipients of the 2010 Annual Awards

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies honored nine individuals and two entities for their outstanding and longstanding commitment to conservation stewardship at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony held on September 28, 2010 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

John Frampton, Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and AFWA’s 2009-2010 President received the top honor, the Seth Gordon Award. Wyoming Game and Fish Department and its Deputy Director, John Emmerich, took home the Ernest Thompson Seton Award for leadership in scientific wildlife management.

Cristy Gayle Burch, GIS Specialist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was recognized as an outstanding young wildlife management professional with the Mark Reeff Memorial Award and the Bamberger Ranch in Texas received the National Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award.

Lt. Richard Thomas and Investigator Dan Sullivan of the New York Department of Conservation Law Enforcement Division received the Conservation Law Enforcement Award for “Operation Shellshock,” a multi-year undercover operation to stop the illegal reptiles and amphibians.

In addition, special recognition awards were presented to Christopher Estes, Chief of Alaska Fish and Game’s Aquatic Resources Coordination Unit; Dr. Robert Blohm, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management; Dr. Sally Guynn AFWA’s Management Assistance Team Project Leader; and Jay McAninch, President and CEO of the Archery Trade Association.

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

> Read a full description of the achievements of the 2010 Annual Awards recipients

Thank You Senator Thune for Supporting State Wildlife Grants

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition presented Senator John Thune (SD) with an award today in recognition of his long-standing support of the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and for being an original co-sponsor of the Teaming With Wildlife Act (S655). The Teaming With Wildlife Award featured a framed photo of a burrowing owl, a bird species found in South Dakota.

From left to right in the picture: Mark Humpert, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies; Senator Thune; Naomi Edelson, National Wildlife Federation; and Peter Gudritz, Wildlife Conservation Society

Boone & Crockett Club Honors AFWA with the Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award

The Boone and Crockett Club on March 24 presented the Association with its prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award in honor of AFWA’s dedication and commitment to the success of the National Conservation Leadership Institute since its establishment in 2004.

The National Conservation Leadership Institute (NCLI) was conceived during an early AWCP meeting at the Boone and Crockett Club headquarters in Missoula, MT. The Association then took the lead to create and maintain the NCLI’s operations.

Said Lowell Baier, President of the Boone and Crockett Club, “The National Conservation Leadership Institute, while born in the rich dialogue and minds of Boone and Crockett Club Professional Members, could never have been a success nor realized without the cooperation, input, support and facilitation of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.”

The inscription on the Legacy Award reads:

“Celebrating Cooperative Conservation Partnerships – Presented to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – For their collaborative role and extraordinary championship, facilitation and training of America’s future conservation leaders through the National Conservation Leadership Institute – 2010 North American Wildlife Conference.”

The Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award was created in the year 2007 to celebrate and recognize successful cooperative conservation partnerships and partners of the Boone and Crockett Club.

To learn more about the National Conservation Leadership Institute, go to www.conservationleadership.org

For more information about the Boone and Crockett Club, visit www.boone-crockett.org

Photo (l-r): Lowell Baier, Boone and Crockett Club President; Ron Regan, AFWA Executive Director; John Frampton, AFWA President

Third Annual National Fish Habitat Award Winners Announced

Award ceremony to be held at the Jim Range National Casting Call on April 22, 2010

The National Fish Habitat Board, a group of the nation’s leading authorities on aquatic conservation, will honor exceptional organizations and individuals who are leaders in aquatic resources conservation at the Third Annual National Fish Habitat Awards ceremony on April 22, 2010 at the Jim Range National Casting Call, hosted by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association.

From the nominations submitted by the hundreds of organizations that comprise the National Fish Habitat Partners Coalition and Fish Habitat Partnerships under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) (http://www.blogger.com/www.fishhabitat.org), the awardees have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to fish habitat conservation, science and education. They are leading by example, through on the ground achievement, to help resolve the nation’s most significant fisheries problems.

The NFHAP Awards will be presented in short program, along with the unveiling of the 2010 NFHAP 10 “Waters To Watch.”

The Winners of the 2010 National Fish Habitat Awards:

Jim Range Conservation Vision Award in support of Fish Habitat Conservation:
Scott Robinson – Coordinator, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP)
Aquatic resource conservation in the Southeastern U.S. has been improved through the leadership of Scott Robinson, coordinator of the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP). Scott spearheaded the development of the Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan (The Plan) in order to directly and indirectly improve the quality and quantity of fish habitats in the region.

Directly, Scott’s leadership has resulted in local fish habitat improvement in each of the 14 SARP states through 30 on-the-ground projects between 2006 and 2009. These have impacted stream, river, reservoir, and coastal habitats as well as recreational, sensitive and imperiled species. Indirectly, Scott’s leadership trickles down to in-state research and conservation projects that utilize The Plan. Regionally, Scott is coordinating a systematic regional habitat assessment with the NFHAP Science and Data Committee's habitat assessment, and participates in relevant regional and national aquatic conservation issues such as the Black Bass Initiative and the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership. Scott’s work and coordination with other Fish Habitat Partnerships, has been exceptional in regards to the fostering of newly formed partnerships.

Southeast Aquatics Resources Partnership - http://southeastaquatics.net/


Extraordinary Action in support of Fish Habitat Conservation:
Lower Bourbeuse Landowner Committee/Missouri Department of Conservation
Efforts to improve aquatic habitat in the Meramec – Lower Bourbeuse watershed, make for a unique partnership that is rarely found on the landscape. The uniqueness of the partnership comes from the sheer fact that landowners, mostly farmers, drive the aquatic restoration process. A well documented history of established landowner participation in the Meramec Basin-Lower Bourbeuse watershed has proven successful in ensuring healthy streams and healthy farms within the watershed.

A six-member landowner committee governs and guides restoration efforts in the Lower Bourbeuse Conservation Opportunity Area. The committee leads by example, contributing their time and expertise and choosing funding sources for proposal competitions. They host farm tours to encourage neighbor participation. There has been continuous demand for best management practices for agriculture, fisheries, forestry and wildlife to protect, enhance and restore natural resources. Installation of fencing, alternative water systems, and secured cattle crossings keep cattle out of streams, addressing root causes of habitat deterioration. Landowners appreciate what these projects mean for their watersheds and cattle.

Supporting document: US FWS Fish Lines Newsletter (May 2009) Pg. 20
http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/Fisheries/library/R3-Fishlines/2009-may.pdf.

About the Jim Range National Casting Call—Hosted by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, the Jim Range National Casting Call is an annual two-day event providing a unique opportunity for families, youth, the fly fishing industry and their partners to spend time on the water experiencing first-hand the benefits of collaboration in fisheries management. For more information, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.nationalcastingcall.com.

Teaming With Wildlife Honors Members of Congress for Helping to Keep Wildlife Off the Endangered Species List

Washington, DC (February 24) -- The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Teaming With Wildlife steering committee honored Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and John Thune (SD), and Congressmen Mike Simpson (ID) and John Dingell (MI) for their outstanding leadership to advance wildlife conservation at a Congressional Reception “Celebrating America’s Wildlife” held today to culminate the annual Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In.

The Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In is the most important outreach event on Capitol Hill for the 6,200+ member Teaming With Wildlife Coalition to secure dedicated funding to support on-the-ground conservation action in every state and territory through State Wildlife Action Plans to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered.

“In the U.S., fish and wildlife are part of the public trust. This means that it is our collective responsibility to take care of them and the places where they live,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We appreciate these champions on Capitol Hill for their support of important legislation that invests in state fish and wildlife conservation to safeguard imperiled species and their habitats.”

Congressional award recipients were recognized for:

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) – for consistent support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and for being a key champion in the Senate to secure funding for natural resource adaptation in comprehensive climate change legislation.

Senator John Thune (SD) – for consistent support of increased funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program and for being an original co-sponsor of the Teaming With Wildlife Act.

Congressman Mike Simpson (ID) – for his leadership in supporting funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program as the ranking member of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee.

Congressman John Dingell (MI) – for consistent support of funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program and for being a key proponent of natural resource adaptation funding in climate change legislation.

“Working in Congress can be a thankless job, but the wildlife community is grateful for those members who demonstrate leadership in helping states and their partners safeguard wildlife by supporting the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans,” said Mark Humpert, Teaming With Wildlife Director. “Even in these difficult financial times, we need to ensure wildlife and vital habitats are conserved for future generations. This goal can go hand-in-hand with job creation and economic sustainability.”

At the “Celebrating America’s Wildlife” Reception, the Association and the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition also presented awards to two partners and a state fish and wildlife agency for their significant efforts to protect critical fish and wildlife populations.

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition Member Achievement Award was presented to the Washington Wildlife Federation for adding more than 50 organizations to its coalition and for forging a partnership with the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, a coalition organized around habitat acquisition and restoration.

The State Wildlife Action Plan Partnership Award was presented to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension for a growing list of shared projects including their collaboration to integrate data and develop maps to facilitate the use of the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan for regional and local conservation planning; outreach to the public; and for a habitat management guide for private landowners to conserve the New England Cottontail.

This year, Teaming With Wildlife Fly-in participants urged their Members of Congress to sign on to a letter of support for $100 million appropriations for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program; co-sponsor the Teaming With Wildlife Act to provide increased and dedicated funding for wildlife conservation; and support wildlife adaptation funding in climate change legislation.

Despite historical successes in bringing many wildlife species back from the brink of extinction, other species have continued to decline as evidenced by the staggering numbers listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. State hunting and fishing license dollars, federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing gear and motorboat fuel taxes have provided the backbone for funding the nation’s state wildlife conservation programs over the past century. However, there has always been a gap in funding for species that are not hunted or fished. State and Tribal Wildlife Grants have provided state fish and wildlife agencies with the resources they critically need to partially fill that gap.

Photo (l-r): Mark Humpert, Teaming With Wildlife Director; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; and David Whitehurst, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Resources for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

# # #

Teaming With Wildlife, a national coalition of more than 6,200 conservation organizations and nature-based businesses—including state fish and wildlife agencies, wildlife biologists, hunters and anglers, birdwatchers, hikers and other conservationists—is working to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by supporting increased state, federal and private funding for wildlife conservation. Found on the web at http://www.teaming.com/

Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Announces 2009 Annual Award Recipients for Exemplary Commitment to Conservation Stewardship

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies honored 12 individuals and two entities for their outstanding and longstanding commitment to conservation stewardship at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony held on September 15, 2009 in Austin, Texas.

2009 Annual Awards Recipients:

Seth Gordon Award
Recognizing lifetime achievement, the Association’s highest honor

David Erickson
Assistant Director, Missouri Department of Conservation

David Erickson’s career spans more than 30 years and is marked by his national and international leadership, innovation, enthusiasm, dedication and adherence to the public trust responsibilities of state and federal wildlife administrators. He has been actively involved in the Association’s work, serving on more than a dozen committees, subcommittees and working groups, which ran the gamut from bird conservation and Teaming With Wildlife to hunting/shooting sports participation and wildlife resources policy.

Erickson also is an advocate for all bird management including migratory waterfowl, game and nongame birds and has been a member of three joint venture management boards, the Mississippi Flyway Council and served on the National Flyway Council strategy team to develop a national waterfowl hunters recruitment strategy. As the Chair for state agencies on the Southern Wings Task Force, Erickson was instrumental in creating a simple infrastructure for state fish and wildlife agencies to participate in the conservation of wintering habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Despite his many commitments, Erickson took on the responsibilities of chairing the Association’s new Amphibian and Reptile Subcommittee to provide a forum for conservation and policy issues and he made it possible for 14 state agencies to receive funding from the Competitive State Wildlife Grants Program. In addition, he serves as AFWA’s advisory board member to Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (PARC) and holds a seat on the PARC Joint National Steering Committee.

The Association is proud to present David Erickson with the Seth Gordon Award in recognition of his life-long career in natural resources, dedication to professional, science-based wildlife management and leadership in achieving conservation goals.

Boone & Crockett Award
Honoring an agency and team leader for outstanding achievement in promoting and encouraging programs in outdoor ethics

Group: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Individual: Mark Bruscino, Bear Management Officer

Human-bear conflicts have become increasingly common as the grizzly bear populations grow and expand. In response to this problem, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department developed a community-based efforts focusing on living, working and recreating safely and ethically in bear country. Called Bear Wise, the program was developed under the leadership of Mark Bruscino, Wyoming’s bear management officer. The program evolved for a citizen work group that Bruscino formed in 2006 and since then has helped significantly reduce state bear conflicts and mortalities as well as possible injuries to humans. Relying on local governments and individuals, Bear Wise programs provide specific methods for managing potential bear attractants; permanent and portable fencing to help outfitters and homeowners keep bears away from attractants; and livestock carcass removal service. Bear Wise also encourages people to appreciate and tolerate bears in their communities.

Mark J. Reeff Memorial Award
Recognizing distinguished, young wildlife management professionals

Shannon Hanna
Privately Owned Cervidae Specialist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Division

Confronted with a number of outstanding noncompliance issues indentified in a Michigan-wide audit, Shannon Hanna took immediate steps to get privately own cervid facilities compliant, which required extensive coordination between the Wildlife Division, the Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division and the deer-farming community. She rewrote a Memorandum of Understanding between DNR and the Agriculture Department governing the rules and regulations of Michigan deer farming. She also developed a comprehensive database on all privately owned cervid facilities that is now accessible by both agencies, saving countless hours and greatly improving the state’s efforts to contain and manage chronic wasting disease (CWD). On her own initiative, Hanna developed a web page for the privately owned cervids industry to obtain information on laws, regulations and accepted manages pertinent to CWD and established herself as a go-to personfor straight answers concerning facility deficiencies. Her expertise proved invaluable when surveillance testing in 2008 detected a positive CWD deer on a facility.

National Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award
Honoring an individual- or family-run farm, ranch or forest operation that has incorporated proactive conservation and environmental protection measures

Col. Wallace N. Weber of Dorrance, Kansas

A retired U.S. Army Colonel with 31 years of service, Wallace Weber is the third generation to run his family’s 1783-acre farm in Dorrance, Kansas. A lifelong sportsman and conservationist, Col. Weber assembled a Conservation Management Team with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to advise and assist him in the development of conservation practices. He is currently implementing the plan with his sister, Cheryl, and permanently dedicating the farm as a demonstration area for farming and wildlife to advance agronomy and conservation-minded rangeland management practices and as a field laboratory to test new conservation ideas as well as to promote the shooting sports, upland hunting and proper hunting ethics. To accomplish his vision, Col. Weber is donating portions of the property to Pheasant’s Forever over the next five years and he established a charitable remainder trust for management expenses upon his passing. In its entirety, the donation is expected to be valued at more than a million dollars and when completed, it will be the largest land donation in Pheasant’s Forever history.

Conservation Law Enforcement Award
Recognizing exceptional achievement is fish and wildlife resource enforcement

Brad M. Hadley
Missouri Department of Conservation

Agent Brad Hadley has employed substantive and innovative means to enforce Missouri fish and wildlife conservation laws. He’s made numerous arrests for serious violations relying heavily on his proficient technological skills using GPS, aircraft and watercraft. Hadley proactively instituted partnership and public relations programs with other agencies including Missouri Highway Patrol, local Sheriff’s department, water patrol, National Park Service and the Forest Service. As the head of a large neighborhood watch program, Hadley built a network of private citizen cooperators to provide enforcement information. His efforts to further inform and educate the public about conservation enforcement include writing newspaper articles, speaking at events and writing for the Missouri Conservationist magazine. Hadley also engaged with the state’s Youth Conservation Corps to develop a program to remove trash from conservation areas and he helped education the public about ATV regulations and trail closures.

Special Recognition Awards
Recognizing individuals who have distinguished themselves with an outstanding commitment to the work of the Association

Michael Berger
(Retired) Director of the Division of Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Mike Berger has had a long and distinguished wildlife conservation career. Before he retired as the Director of Wildlife, some of his most outstanding accomplishments were the development and implementation of the state’s Wildlife Conservation Plan, the addition of more than seven million acres to the state’s approved wildlife management plans and the development of a proactive partnership with The Nature Conservancy in the conservation of key prairie chicken grassland habitats. As a very engaged co-chair of AFWA’s International Relations Committee, Berger built upon the relationships that he had developed as the U.S. Chair of the Wildlife Table of the Border Governor’s Conference, a bi-national forum to coordinate the work of U.S. and Mexican states to facilitate the Mexican states working with AFWA on North American wildlife conservation issues.

Dr. Michael Fall
Biologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

A nationally prominent research scientist and research leader, Dr. Michael Fall has been the federal liaison within the Association for the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for trapping animals. He served as the project leader for the ground-breaking research that lead to the development of BMPs and has been exceptionally effective at maintaining the federal support of the research needed to develop them. Fall also has been the federal official responsible for implementing the U.S. commitments stemming from the Agreed Minute with the European Union addressing BMPs and fur trade. As head of the U.S. delegation, he consistently has made it clear that state fish and wildlife agencies are responsible for wildlife management in the U.S., thereby protecting the interests of states and the integrity of state-based wildlife management.

Glen Salmon
(Former) Director, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife
Deputy Assistant Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid (USFWS)

As soon as Glen Salmon was appointed the Director of the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, he became actively engaged in the work of the Association and the Midwestern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Salmon made significant contributions to furthering the states’ wildlife conservation agenda and programs as the Chair of the Fish and Wildlife Trust Funds Committee, co-Chair of the Agency/Industry Summit; working member of the National Grants and Annual Meeting Committees; and a champion for conservation education. Salmon recently accepted a position with USFWS Federal Aid.

Virgil Moore
Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Over the course of his 29-year career with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Virgil Moore has championed the cause for the conservation of native fish and through his advocacy and leadership has made a lasting impact on the fisheries resources of the Western United States. As President of the American Fisheries Society Administration Section, Moore played a key role in the development of the Western Trout Initiative, one of the most successful National Fish Habitat Initiative Partnerships. Similarly, his work on the Forest Service Fishing Review Panel helped support the continuation of Forest Service western fish programs. Nationally, Moore’s leadership on AFWA’s Fisheries and Water Policy Committee and the American Sportfishing Association’s Government Affairs Committee has been key on behalf of state agencies in the last two reauthorizations of the Sportfish Restoration Act.

Ken Haddad
Director, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Retiring at the end of the year after 30 years of service, Ken Haddad’s body of work as a research and natural resource administrative professional is truly substantial. He has authored or co-authored more than 35 publications in applied research and management including fisheries and fish habitat, red tide, remote sensing and geographic information systems. In the past eight years serving as the Executive Director, Haddad innovatively has set Florida’s course for the 21st century, which is serving as a model for other state agencies. He has served on AFWA’s Executive Committee and was engaged in the work of the Resource Policy and Angler Boater Participation Committees abd chaired the Leadership and Professional Development Committee to address the growing gap facing states as the baby boom generation retires. Haddad’s contributions have been a clear vision of the future with a commitment for working on the front end of issues with all stakeholders whether they be public or private partners or resource professionals.

Mark Shaffer
Director, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Environment Program

Mark Shaffer and the Doris Charitable Foundation have been tireless supporters of state wildlife action plans, contributing nearly $90 million over the past decade towards their development and implementation in order to accelerate the conservation of identified essential habitats. The Foundation also has actively encouraged other private foundations to link their conservation spending the plans.

Fallen Heroes
Remembering those wildlife professionals who lost their lives while carrying out their duties the previous year

Nathan Mims
Officer, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Photos by Chase Fountain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dpeartment

Bottom row (l-r): Ken Haddad, Shannon Hanna, Dr. Michael Fall, Glen Salmon, Dave Erickson Top row (l-r): Cheryl Weber, Wallace Weber, Virgil Moore, Mark Shaffer, Mark Bruscino, Brad Hadley, Mike Berger

Second Annual National Fish Habitat Award Winners Announced

A group of the nation’s leading authorities on aquatic conservation, the National Fish Habitat Board, will honor two exceptional organizations and two individual champions in aquatic resource conservation at the Second Annual National Fish Habitat Awards ceremony on April 27, 2009 at the Jim Range National Casting Call hosted by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association.

From nominations submitted by the hundreds of organizations that comprise the National Fish Habitat Partners Coalition, the awardees demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to fish habitat conservation, science and education. They are leading by example to help resolve the nation’s most significant fisheries problems.

For 2009, the selection committee added an additional award category, Extraordinary Action category in support of fish habitat, bringing the total number of awards to four. Also, in honor of the recently passed Jim Range, who tragically lost his battle with cancer, the selection committee has re-named the Exceptional Vision Award in Jim’s honor. The award will now be the Jim Range Conservation Vision Award.

“Renaming the Award in honor of Jim, is just a small token to honor all that he has done in Washington to support fish and wildlife conservation. The Board found it fitting to rename the award and there is no better venue to honor Jim than Casting Call.” said Kelly Hepler, National Fish Habitat Board Chairman. “Jim was a true pioneer for conservation and was a true visionary when it came to fish and wildlife related issues.”

The Winners of the 2009 National Fish Habitat Awards are as follows:

Outreach and Education Award: The Lake Leaders Institute, University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes
The goal of the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute is to enhance Wisconsin’s lake resources through education, leadership and citizen action. The Institute assists citizens in developing and improving both their technical and people skills, to enrich their communities and the waters within them. Participants learn in an atmosphere of openness, trust, friendship and camaraderie.

Lake Leaders Institute courses give participants the opportunity to take field trips, enjoy natural beauty, exchange and forge ideas, and develop friendships. More than 200 Lake Leaders Institute graduates have made a personal commitment to engage others in their community to ensure our water resources are preserved for future generations.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension (UWEX) Lakes is part of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. UWEX Lakes (education) works with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (science) and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (citizens) to form the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership.

Scientific Achievement Award: Stephen J. Jordan, Lisa M. Smith, Janet A. Nestlerode, Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Research and Development
The team of Jordan, Smith and Nestlerode, have broken new ground in quantifying the value of nursery habitats to a major fishery and ecological resource. In their research article (Cumulative Effects of Habitat Alterations on Fishery Resources: Prediction at Regional Scales) published in Ecology and Society, they have modeled how the detailed spatial extent and distribution of marsh and submerged aquatic vegetation affect blue crab recruitment at the scale of the US Gulf of Mexico, and shown how the model can be used to predict the effects of habitat alteration on the fishery. The novel modeling concepts applied to this research can be used more widely in quantitative analysis of the consequences of fish habitat loss and restoration at spatial and temporal scales.

Article Link:(Cumulative Effects of Habitat Alterations on Fishery Resources: Prediction at Regional Scales) http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss1/art16/

Jim Range Conservation Vision Award: Yvon Chouinard
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, started Patagonia in 1973 to meet the equipment and clothing needs of outdoor enthusiasts, primarily rock climbers, hikers and anglers. From the very beginning, Patagonia devoted time and money to the increasingly apparent national and world-wide environmental crisis. Yvon saw what was happening in the remote corners of the world: creeping pollution and deforestation, the slow, then not so slow, disappearance of fish and wildlife and decided to do something about it. Since then, Patagonia never looked back.

Yvon had the foresight and commitment to have Patagonia become a leader in giving back to natural resources to ensure their future viability and stability. In 1986, Patagonia began a program that makes it unique among corporate entities that care about fisheries habitat. Patagonia committed to donate 10% of profits each year to grassroots environmental groups.
The company later upped the ante to 1% of sales or 10% of profits, whichever was greater.

Patagonia has kept to that commitment every year since and placed a high emphasis on fishery habitat protection over the years as evidenced by the starting of the World Trout Initiative to specifically address trout habitats and populations; the 1% For the Planet program that supports local grassroots projects which include fishery habitat projects; and the Conservation Alliance – a program that enlists other funding sources to participate in wildlife and fisheries habitat projects.

Extraordinary Action Award: Project SHARE
Project SHARE (Salmon Habitat and River Enhancement), a 501(c)3 organization, was created in 1994 through the efforts of concerned landowners, salmon anglers, businesses and various government agencies, to establish a forum to protect and enhance Atlantic salmon habitat in the five Downeast rivers of Maine.

SHARE's mission is to conserve and protect Atlantic salmon habitat in the Dennys, Machias, East Machias, Pleasant and Narraguagus rivers. This is based on the premise of voluntary participation by area landowners, businesses, as well as local, state and federal government, academia, conservation organizations, research and educational interests and any other entity that will enhance the healthy functioning of these riverine ecosystems. Since 2006, Steve Koenig, Project SHARE Executive Director, has completed 22 USDA NRCS/WHIP projects that contributed $930,000 for stream habitat connectivity projects in Downeast Maine. The more impressive figure is the 19 additional WHIP (additional $1,000,000) projects currently under contract.

Combining landowner and other contributions to Project SHARE’s WHIP projects, these 41 stream restoration projects equate to nearly $2.6 million in on-the-ground conservation efforts that benefit Endangered Atlantic Salmon and other Service trust species such as brook trout and American eel.

For more information about the National Fish Habitat Awards, go to www.fishhabitat.org.

For details about the Jim Range National Casting Call, visit www.nationalcastingcall.org.

The Association Honors Congressman John Dingell for Lifelong Dedication to Conservation

On March 18, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies presented Congressman John Dingell (MI), Chairman Emeritus of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, with a Special Recognition of his commitment to fish and wildlife conservation and the state agencies. There is hardly a single piece of conservation and environmental legislation in the last 60 years that doesn't reflect Chairman Dingell's hand.

The award inscription reads, "To Chairman John Dingell, with our deepest respect and most heartfelt appreciation for your lifelong dedication to fish and wildlife conservation and support of the state fish and wildlife agencies."

Always the humble and gracious statesman, in thanking the Association for the recognition, Chairman Dingell paid tribute to the work of the state agencies and pledged to continue to help states in meeting fish and wildlife conservation objectives.

Photo (L-R): Rex Amack (NE), Gary Taylor (AFWA), Rep. John Dingell, Becky Humphries (MI), James Ziebarth (NE) and John Frampton (SC)

WMI 2008 George Bird Grinnell Memorial and Presidents Award Recipients

During the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held last month in Phoenix, Arizona, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) honored one of the longest-serving leaders of a state conservation organization in U.S. history, Gary T. Myers, with the 2008 George Bird Grinnell Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation. The Grinnell Award salutes a person whose career has been exemplified by integrity, leadership, foresight and achievement and has invariably made decisions in the interest of progressive resource management.

"Gary has been doing just that for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the citizens and natural resources of Tennessee for more than 30 years," said Steve Williams, WMI President. "As remarkable as the length of Gary’s tenure as executive director for the Tennessee agency is the leadership he has shown for progressive conservation throughout North America."

Myers many credits include serving a key role in the annual expansion of Dingell-Johnson funds; direct involvement in the national and international implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; and securing funds for the first waterfowl joint venture. Myers has served on the North American Wetlands Conservation Council; been actively involved with the North American Bird Conservation Initiative; and is a staunch supporter of the Southeastern Aquatic Resources Partnership Initiative. He is former president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

WMI also recognized Bob Carmichael as the recipient of the Institute’s 2008 Presidents Award. The WMI Presidents Award recognizes ingenuity, tenacity and accomplishment in the interest of advancing natural resource management and stewardship, in the tradition of WMI’s former presidents.Carmichael is a wildlife biologist with a career spanning six decades. He began as a field worker, recently retiring after more than 20 years as a wildlife agency administrator. Among the most distinguishing qualities of the recipient," said Williams, have been Bob’s "undaunted willingness to take on some of the most onerous and sensitive issues facing natural resource management and his remarkable ability to deal with them effectively."During Carmichael’s tenure with the Manitoba Wildlife Branch, from 1974 to 2005, including in the capacities as Chief of Commercial Wildlife Management and as Chief of Game, Fur and Problem Wildlife Management, he tackled humane-trapping protocols, animal rights issues, agriculture-wildlife conflicts, aboriginal interests and interprovincial relations, among others. He also advocated for cooperative Canadian-U.S. wildlife policies, practices and science-based conservation. Currently residing in Keewatin, Ontario, Carmichael now serves as Senior Advisor of Operations and International Programs for the Delta Waterfowl Foundation.

For more information, visit www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org