Two Minnesota residents are among 16 national recipients of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services 2007 National Recovery Champion awards, announced today by Service Director Dale Hall. The Recovery Champion award recognizes outstanding contributions of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees and their partners toward efforts aimed at recovering threatened and endangered species in the United States.
“The Recovery Champion award not only recognizes the exceptional conservation accomplishments of the honorees, it also provides the public with a unique opportunity to learn about endangered species conservation,” said Hall. “These Recovery Champions are extraordinary conservationists dedicated to protecting and restoring our nation’s wildlife and ensuring that future generations of Americans enjoy the natural treasures we experience today.”
The two Minnesota recipients are Douglas Bos, assistant manager of the Rock County Land Management Office, and John Christian, an assistant regional director for the Service’s Midwest Regional Office in Fort Snelling.
Bos was cited for his work to improve habitat for the Topeka shiner, an endangered minnow that inhabits prairie streams. Bos was instrumental in bringing key partners together to improve and restore habitat on the Rock River and its watershed. His close coordination with individuals, such as feedlot farmers, has led to improved water quality in the Rock River watershed by bringing county feedlots into compliance with state feedlot rules. In addition, Bos has been instrumental in working with partners to develop a plan to control the amount of pollutants in the Rock River, providing further benefits to the Topeka shiner and to all who live in the watershed. Bos was nominated by the Services Minnesota Private Lands Office, which works with Bos and private landowners on the Rock River through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to restore, enhance, and protect habitat for the Topeka shiner.
“Doug is the perfect example of conservation through partnerships,” said Robyn Thorson, Midwest Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “His skill at working with local landowners, bringing different interests to the table, and his ability to connect with all stakeholders have brought us closer to recovery of an endangered species and given all of us a better place to live.”
Christian was recognized for eight years of coordination with a variety of public and private landowners - both domestic and international - to re-establish the endangered whooping crane as a breeding species in eastern North America. In his role as chairperson of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, he organized a group of ultra-light pilots, species experts, conservationists, and federal, state and private biologists who work together to breed, raise and “flight train” whooping cranes. Christian’s dedication has led to the current population of 50 migrant whooping cranes, in addition to 17 newly escorted birds to the Florida wintering grounds in December 2007. He currently serves as the Midwest Region’s assistant regional director for migratory birds and state programs.
“John is -- in addition to a superb administrator -- a cheerleader, peacemaker, and psychologist as we nurture and grow the Midwest population of the endangered whooping crane,” said Thorson. “His passion and dedication have spurred all the partners to look beyond our institutional boundaries and reach for our highest common goal – recovery.”
The 2007 Recovery Champion honorees’ contributions to the conservation of the nation’s natural heritage benefit a broad range of endangered and threatened plants and animals. From manatees to mussels, Service employees and their partners have been working to recover our nation’s most imperiled wildlife. Habitat protection, public awareness campaigns, and the development of cutting-edge technology to achieve captive breeding success are just a few examples of this years Recovery Champion honorees’ efforts.
For additional information please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Champion website at
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/champions/index.html
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
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