U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall announced today the sixteen recipients of the Services 2007 National Recovery Champion award. 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 nations wildlife and ensuring that future generations of Americans enjoy the natural treasures we experience today."
The 2007 Recovery Champion honorees contributions to the conservation of our 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 nations 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.
This year, the Southwest Regions award winners are Shaula Hedwall from the Fish and Wildlife Services Arizona Ecological Services Flagstaff Sub-office and Robert C. Sivinski from the New Mexico State Forestry Division.
"We are very proud of the work that Robert and Shaula have done in their fields," said Benjamin Tuggle, PhD, Regional Director for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "Their efforts in conservation have been invaluable, and Im glad that they are being recognized for them."
Wildlife Biologist Shaula Hedwall will receive the Services Personnel Award. This year Hedwall has worked tirelessly to save the last populations of Chiricahua leopard frogs in the Coconino National Forest in central Arizona. This sub-population has been threatened by non-native predatory species, disease, and by a long-term drought. Much of Shaulas work towards recovery of this species has been voluntary. She has taken the lead on these efforts and inspired others with her energy and dedication. She has worked closely with other state and federal agencies and has worked to educate ranchers about the species and how improved livestock management can benefit both ranching and the frog. Her efforts have helped ensure that there will be frogs to release in secure, quality habitat.
Botanist Robert Sivinski is the recipient of this years Partners Award. Sivinski has been the focal point for federally listed plant recovery in New Mexico for more than 18 years. As one of the premier field botanists in New Mexico, Sivinski has a unique understanding of the complex issues surrounding the ecology and recovery of rare plants. Among Sivinskis many contributions to the Service, he is currently attempting to establish two additional recovery populations of endangered Knowltons cactus by direct seeding and transplanting of clones taken from the natural population. He has also been involved in both research and public outreach that has benefited various plant species throughout the state.
For additional information including a full list of award recipients please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Recovery Champion website at:
