Alaska Outdoor Council Honors Fish and Wildlife Service Employee

Chuck Hunt of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge received the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year" award from the Alaska Outdoor Council (AOC) in March. According to the AOC, Chuck is the first U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) employee to be given this particular award.

Hunt joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979 because of his interest in Migratory Bird Treaty work.

"Nothing prepared me for the challenging work I would do in my role as Native Contact Representative with the Fish and Wildlife Service," Hunt said. "But I think I have a calling to do outreach. I really enjoy working with different people, and I certainly get that opportunity in my work with the Service."

According to Bill Martin, Assistant Regional Director for Federal Aid with the .Service, Hunt earned the AOCs award for his conscious and successful work on waterfowl conservation issues on the YK Delta. "Chuck has been successful in pulling people together, in this case, particularly on the goose management hunting issues."

According to Hunts supervisor, Refuge Manager Mike Rearden, Hunts work with the Service includes wording with information and education programs, as well as representing the Service with Alaska Natives and acting as a go-between for Natives and the Service. "His expertise in Native culture and the Fish and Wildlife Service really lends itself to solid communications for all of us," Rearden said.

FWS