President Clinton and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt today marked the 150th anniversary of the Interior Department by presenting the Departments Conservation Service Award to the Mexican spotted owl recovery team for its outstanding contributions to the cause of conservation and the mission of the Department. James Young, an Assistant Regional Director for the Fish and Wildlife Service until his retirement in 1997, received the Departments Distinguished Service Award.

The Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery Team was formed in 1993 to develop a plan to recover the species, listed as