Refuge System Honors Four For Outstanding Contributions
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| David Sibley
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The National Wildlife Refuge System bestowed four major awards during National Wildlife Refuge Week Oct. 10-16, 2004 on four individuals who have benefited both the Refuge System and the nation's wildlife resources.
David Sibley of Concord, MA, noted author and illustrator, was honored for his outstanding support of migratory bird conservation through public education and the promotion of wildlife recreation. He is the author of several birding guides, including the Sibley Guide to Birds, published in October 2000 after more than 12 years of work. Sibley writes, edits and illustrates his books.
The guide book has been followed by four other books, including Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America and Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, both published in April 2003.
"His passion is evident in his magnificent illustrations," said Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles. "Expanding on the heritage of such greats as Roger Tory Peterson, David Sibley has inspired in millions of Americans a fascination for birds – and a concern for their habitats."
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| Martin MacDonald
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Martin MacDonald, director of corporate public relations, conservation and youth development for Bass Pro Shops, was honored as a Centennial Champion for helping to build awareness of the Refuge System. MacDonald provided outstanding support to the USFWS Centennial Commission as it worked to honor the Refuge System's 100th anniversary.
He conceived of programs that provide funding for habitat restoration on national wildlife refuges. "In community after community, national wildlife refuges bear the fruits of Martin's towering commitment," said Griles. "His legacy will endure for all time in the land that he has helped protect."
Dr. Leigh Frederickson, retired after serving more than 36 years as Director of the University of Missouri Gaylord Memorial Laboratory, was honored for a lifetime of achievement in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Dr. Frederickson and his graduate students conducted about 40 formal research programs on national wildlife refuges across the country. More than any other single individual, Dr. Frederickson has influenced the management of wetlands on wildlife refuges. Dozens of his graduate students today work for the Refuge System as refuge managers and biologists.
"Even today, you'll find Leigh in the marshes, bottomland forests and prairies of national wildlife refuges from Alaska to Florida, from Hawaii to Louisiana," Griles noted. "No other research biologist has learned more about the Refuge System and the resources we manage. Leigh is a true hero of the Refuge System and a giant in the field of conservation."
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| Leigh Frederickson, left, was honored for a lifetime of achievement in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Presenting the award are Dean Rundle, center, one of Dr. Frederickson's former graduate students and refuge manager at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (CO), and Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles. |
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), a member of the House of Representatives for more than two decades, was cited for outstanding support of the National Wildlife Refuge System through legislative leadership. A senior member of the House Resources Committee's Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, Rep. Saxton was one of the authors of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, considered the governing legislation for the Refuge System.
He has sponsored bills that protect dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and other marine mammals, domestic coral reefs and marine sanctuaries. He has provided vital support for the E.B. Forsythe NWR, established on the New Jersey coast in 1939.
More recently, he was an of the Volunteer and Community Partnership Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush in late October. The act gives citizens enhanced opportunities to contribute to conservation.
"Congressman Saxton has long been a tireless advocate of the Refuge System," Griles said. "When he retires from the House in January, we will miss his counsel, his wisdom and his support."
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