Phil Million, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Conservation Partnerships Liaison Division, received the American Recreation Coalitions "Legends" award June 13 for his "vision, commitment and stewardship in expanding outdoor recreational opportunities in America."
"Phil intuitively knows that conservation and recreation programs are enriched and fortified by strong communications and coordination with partners," said Derrick A. Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition. "His efforts are often behind-the-scenes and rarely show up in the limelight, but in my mind this makes him especially deserving of recognition for his accomplishments throughout his career.
Million joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Public Affairs office in 1973. He served as a press officer in the Interior Departments Communications Office from 1980-84 before rejoining the Service as Chief of Public Affairs, a position he held for 15 years before taking his current position 2 years ago.
In his current assignment, Million manages Service support for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a unique organization set up by Congress to oversee a $36 million outreach effort to promote and expand boating and fishing participation and aquatic resource conservation. He also coordinates Service activities involving the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, a group of conservation and industry leaders who advise the Interior Secretary.
During his years as chief information officer for the Service, Million managed communications on a number of highly visible issues including gray wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho, pioneering recovery efforts for the California condor and whooping crane, the controversial spotted owl endangered species listing, reduction of over-abundant snow geese populations to protect their habitat, implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and phase-in of non-toxic shot nationwide for waterfowl hunting.
Million is a tireless advocate for the important contributions anglers and hunters make to conservation and recreation. He led development and production of a series of hunter safety television public service announcements in cooperation with state agencies, earning awards from the Izaak Walton League of America and the Association for Conservation Information. He also developed the unique "Status of Waterfowl" video series to strengthen the Services communications about issues affecting waterfowl populations and habitats.
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 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 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.
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For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov">
