Pheasants Forever (PF) Executive Director Jeff Finden received the prestigious award during the organizations National board meeting, May 25. The award was presented by Marvin Moriarty, Deputy Regional Director of the Services Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region.
The National Wetlands Conservation Award (NWCA), presented annually since 1990 by the Service, is conferred to individuals, groups or corporations who have made significant, unselfish contributions to the restoration, enhancement and protection of Americas wetlands. A 1993-94 Federal duck stamp print and a special certificate of commendation are presented to all recipients.
"Pheasants Forever, because of its commitment and vision, has had a significant effect on wetland conservation, and soil and water conservation in general," said Sam Marler, Regional Director of the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region. "Pheasants Forever is highly deserving of this recognition. The Service salutes their many conservation achievements through cooperative partnerships with agencies, organizations, individuals and private landowners." National Group runnerup is Delta Waterfowl Foundation of Chicago, Illinois.
Recipient of the National Individual Award is Hal G. McKnight of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; runnerup is Gunnar E. Holmquist of Spokane, Washington.
The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) is one of four Regional Group Award winners. The WWA represents the Services Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region (Region 3), whose Regional Office is located in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. The WWA will receive the Regional Group Award Wednesday, September 14, in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
In the NWCA nomination submitted on behalf of PF, wetland accomplishments were emphasized, including the amount of wetland acreage and wetland types restored, enhanced and protected; benefits of respective wetland projects; and leadership and innovation in wetland conservation efforts.
The nomination also stressed PFs financial and in-kind contributions to Partners for Wildlife, a Service-sponsored stewardship program designed to assist private landowners with the restoration and protection of wetlands and other essential habitats for migratory birds and endangered species.
Pheasants Forever, has 70,000-plus members in 425 local chapters throughout 26 states. As a cooperator in the Services Partners for Wildlife and other habitat programs, PF has contributed almost $70,000 since 1987 to assist in the restoration of about 3,000 wetland acres.
Additionally, PF has contributed funds to Service field stations to cost-share the purchases of equipment to restore wetlands and native uplands. PF chapters have also donated valuable in-kind services to assist projects on private and public lands.
In 1993, PF assisted the Service and other partners in the restoration of more than 2,300 wetland acres and almost 38,000 upland acres. The conservation organization also acquired over 5,250 acres of wildlife habitat, including important wetland acreage.
Many of the PF projects have occurred in Americas Prairie Pothole Region, where prairie potholes and associated uplands of all sizes have been restored and enhanced. Other wetland types restored in cooperation with PF include disturbed bogs, bottomland hardwoods and forested wetlands. Some of the restored wetlands have been permanently protected by conservation easements.
To financially assist Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) and the Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP), PF has contributed $1 million to each. PF has also been an effective lobbyist for state legislation including: in Minnesota, the Delayed Roadside Mowing Bill, the Wetlands Conservation Act and RIM; upland habitat stamps in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Montana, Oregon and Utah; a private lands habitat trust in North Dakota; REAP; and environmental trust funds in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
On the national level, PF lobbied for passage of the Conservation Reserve Program in the 1985 Federal Farm Bill, assisted with passage of a multi-year land set-aside program in the 1990 Farm Bill, and is helping shape future land-retirement programs in the 1995 Farm Bill.
Through its involvement with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, PF currently serves on several Joint Venture Steering committees and is voluntary administrator of two large grants from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
PF also publishes a quarterly magazine, The Journal of Upland Game Conservation.
Although PF was originally organized to support upland habitat conservation, it has become a strong wetland advocate because of the values that wetlands provide for wildlife species. Wetlands not only provide migration habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds, they furnish winter cover and security for resident wildlife, and nesting habitat for waterfowl, upland gamebirds and ground-nesting birds, including neotropical migrants.
Furthermore, wetlands and uplands reduce the severity of flooding; assist in the rehabilitation of water quality; recharge groundwater sources and aquifers; absorb sedimentation, pollution and contaminates from runoff; provide additional recreational opportunities to the public; and create income for landowners and local communities.
For more information on Pheasants Forever, contact Joe Duggan, Public Relations Coordinator, at 612/481-7142. For information on Partners for Wildlife or other Service programs, contact Steve Kufrin, Private Funds Coordinator, at 612/725-3570.
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 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 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. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
