The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it is seeking nominations for the National Wetlands Conservation Award to the Private Sector for 2003. This award recognizes the contributions of private sector partners for development, restoration and enhancement of wetlands. Any individual, group or corporation is eligible.
Wetlands are biologically diverse and dynamic ecosystems. Found in every state, wetlands support diverse populations of fish, wildlife and plants, providing habitat for more than 40 percent of the nation"s endangered and threatened species. Often called "natures sponges," they also help protect water quality by filtering out pollutants, provide natural flood control by absorbing excess water, buffer coastal areas from erosion, and offer aesthetic and recreational opportunities."
A"Cooperation and partners are paramount to the Fish and Wildlife Service"s conservation mission,"@" said Service Director Steve Williams. "A"Most wildlife habitat in the country is on private land. These awards go to unsung heros who continually strive to help protect and conserve our Nation"s fish and wildlife resources. We cannot do it without them."@"
The Service will award a National Winner and Runner up for Individual Accomplishment, a National Winner and Runner Up for Group Accomplishment, and Regional Winners and Runners Up for each of the seven Service regional offices.
The criteria for this year"s awards are:
* Amount (acreage or hectares) of wetlands protected, enhanced, or restored;
* Type of wetlands protected, restored, or enhanced (bottomland, hardwoods, coastal wetlands, etc.);
* Benefits derived from the wetlands conservation project (e.g., education, wildlife use, water quality, etc.); and
* Leadership and innovation (use of volunteers, creativity in wetlands conservation).
Nominations should be sent to the appropriate regional office by March 15, 2003. A panel of experts whose backgrounds are in wetlands issues will review and score the nominations, and select the winners.
The two National Awards will be presented at the "A"Duck Stamp First Day of Sale Ceremony"@" on July 1, 2003. There will be several Regional Awards ceremonies as well. The award winners will receive framed and signed Duck Stamp prints, certificates, and will receive national recognition for their excellent contributions. All of the Service"s partners are encouraged to join in supporting this awards program, by nominating deserving private conservationists for these awards.
Conservation partners who wish to make Award nominations are asked to forward their nominations to one of the following Regional Coordinators for the Awards Program:
Mr. Carey Smith
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
9317 Highway 99, Suite I
Vancouver, Washington 98665
1-360-696-7630
(For projects in California, Washington St., Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Hawaii)
Mr. Mike McCollum
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
711 Stadium Drive 252
Arlington, Texas 76011
1-817-277-1100
(For projects in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico)
Mr. Steve Kufrin
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bishop Henry Whipple Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056
1-612-713-5447
(For projects in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa)
Ms. Evelyn Azar, Mr. Frank Bowers or Chuck Hunter
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1875 Century Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
1-404-679-7290 (Evelyn) or 1-404-679-7188 (Frank or Chuck)
(For projects in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas)
Mr. Andrew Milliken
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589
1-413-253-8269
(For projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, New York New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
West Virginia)
Mr. David McGillivary or Mr. Lance Kuester
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Denver Federal Center
Post Office Box 25486
Denver, Colorado 80225
1-303-236-8155, extension 243 (David) or 1-303-236-8145 (Lance)
(For projects in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Montana, Kansas)
Mr. Mike Roy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1011 Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
1-907-786-3925
(For projects in Alaska)
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 which encompasses 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 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.
-FWS-
