WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today presented one of her "Four Cs Awards" to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Pacific Islands Conservation Partnership Program during the U.S. Department of the Interiors 62nd Department Honor Awards Convocation in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes the staffs efforts in working with landowners and conservation organizations to benefit Hawaiis native ecosystems.
"Those being honored today have made all of us proud. They have gone beyond the decision to serve. They have made their choice their calling," Secretary Norton remarked in opening the ceremony. "For some, the choice was made in a heartbeat. They stepped up into a firestorm or jumped into a rescue. Others spent decades in service: doing more than required - or even desired - day after day, year after year."
Craig Rowland, program coordinator for Pacific Islands Conservation Partnership Programs, accepted the award on behalf of his staff, including Chris Swenson, Benton Pang, Naomi Bentivoglio, Stephanie Bennett, Donna Ball, and Bret Harper.
Through their efforts in 2003, almost $2.7 million in cost-share funds, technical assistance, and coordination were provided to community groups, private landowners, conservation organizations, and other government agencies with the overall goal of benefitting Hawaiis native ecosystems. This funding was matched by contributions or in kind services totaling more than $2.2 million, bringing almost $5 million to conservation programs in the state. In 2004, more than $3.1 million was awarded through Fish and Wildlife Service grant programs, leveraged by approximately $2.5 million from outside sources.
During her four years as Interior Secretary, Ms. Norton has promoted the use of the "Four Cs": cooperation, consultation, and communication in conserving the Nations resources. The Secretarys Four Cs Award is granted to a Department of the Interior employee - or a group or team of employees - who demonstrate exceptional contributions, methods, and efforts to promote the Secretarys initiatives. An individual or group/team nominated for this award must demonstrate excellent communicative relationships with all stakeholders involved in decisions that concern our nations natural resources, creating win-win situations for stakeholders, as well as for the environment. A special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary are presented to the recipients.
The Conservation Partnerships Program oversees six grant programs, including one of the most unique partnership programs in the Nation: the Hawaii Community Conservation Initiative. The program was initiated in Fiscal Year 2002 as a collaborative effort to reduce longstanding conflicts between hunting programs and endangered species protection. Key requirements of the program are that it empowers local communities and employ local citizens to implement projects that reduce feral animal pressure on endangered species or reduce endangered species regulation on hunting activities, or both.
ccording to the award citation, during its short existence, this program has resulted in not only a closer relationship with local community members, but a newfound recognition that both hunting and endangered species programs are valuable to Hawaiis people. Although conflicts may still arise occasionally, the staffs efforts are engendering a growing sense of commitment to working together for the benefit of all.
hrough the Pacific Islands Conservation Partnership programs, native habitat restoration activities are now underway on more than a half million acres within main Hawaiian Islands - more than one-eighth of the States land base. The partnership program also is expanding its efforts beyond Hawaii to other ecosystems within the Pacific. Coastal Program grants are already aiding the Republic of Palau, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The programs annual reports are available on the Internet at /www.pacificislands.gov under Habitat Conservation.
In addition to the "Four Cs" awards, the Secretary presented awards to numerous Interior employees who have shown courage in danger, dedication in service, exceptional efforts in public conservation, and invaluable behind-the-scenes contributions. A list of awards can be found on the Department of the Interiors website at /www.doi.gov.
