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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2002
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“The Hasty family’s efforts are benefitting wildlife in big ways in the Southeast Region, “ said Sam D. Hamilton, the Service’s Southeast Regional Director, who presented the award to Hasty. “This award program recognizes that it is the private landowners, who love the natural resources of this country, and are committed to the stewardship of lands, water, and wildlife, that are the backbone of conservation for the Service or any other federal agency to achieve its conservation mission.” “Today, we recognize a family whose accomplishments on behalf of wetlands and wildlife conservation are so significant that they deserve public recognition,” continued Hamilton as he presented the award and a signed and framed print of the 2001-2002 Duck Stamp to Hasty. Working with Service biologist Tom Edwards through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and other conservation agencies, the Hasty Family Limited Partnership restored wetlands on 115 acres in the Arkansas Delta. The objective was to benefit as many wildlife species as possible. This was accomplished by the reforestation of 87 acres of bottomland hardwoods, restoration of 1.5 miles of stream bank habitat, and restoration of hydrology on 50 acres. Among the wildlife that benefit are migratory waterfowl, one of Arkansas’ claims to fame in the wildlife world, shorebirds, wading birds, and many other species. In addition, Hasty became a leader-by-example, generously sharing these accomplishments with others by participating in various agency field reviews and private landowner tours.
The National Wetlands Conservation Award program began in 1990 to honor
Fish and Wildlife Service private sector partners for their efforts
to restore and improve wetlands across the nation. The criteria for
these awards are rigorous and include the amounts and types of wetlands
restored or enhanced, the benefits that have resulted from the project,
and the innovation and leadership required to achieve the results.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System
that encompasses more than 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands
of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates
70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological
services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws,
administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations,
restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife
habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation
efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds
of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment
to state fish and wildlife agencies.
NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http://southeast.fws.gov. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/. Atlanta, GA 30345 Phone: 404/679-7289 Fax: 404/679-7286 |
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