2008 National Wildlife Refuge System Awards Announced!
Two awards will be presented at a ceremony in conjunction with the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, March 25 through 29 in Phoenix, AZ. The conservation partners will present the following awards during the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director's Reception at 7 p.m., March 27 in the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
Refuge Manager of the Year (Kroegel award)
Employee
of the Year
Two awards will also be presented at a ceremony in conjunction with the 2008 "Friends for the Future" National Friends Conference, which runs April 4 through 6 at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV. The conservation partners will present these awards during the Refuge System Awards Reception at 6:30 p.m., April 5 in the NCTC Commons.
Volunteer of the Year
Friends Group of the Year
Paul Kroegel - 2008 Refuge Manager of the Year Award
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| Refuge Manager of the Year, Kevin Brennan |
This
award is given in honor and memory of Paul Kroegel, the first manager
of the first refuge established in 1903 on Pelican Island, Florida.
His dedication and effectiveness set a high standard for those who
followed.
Kevin Brennan, Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, MN – A dedicated Fish and Wildlife Service employee for more than 32 years, Fergus Falls Wetland Management District Manager, Kevin Brennan, continues to find innovate ways to meet management and public relations challenges daily. Since his arrival, Fergus Falls WMD has added 8,222 acres of fee title land and protected 5,294 acres of privately owned wetland habitat. In addition to protecting wetland, grassland, and native prairie habitats through the Wildlife Habitat Easement Program, Brennan tirelessly manages, develops and promotes the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, a haven for environmental education that sees over 50,000 visitors each year. Brennan believes that it is important that the community is not only aware of the resource, but has opportunities to learn how to improve it.
NWRS 2008 Employee of the Year Award
 |
| Employee of the Year, Clyde Morris |
The
Employee of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual
whose career has shown a commitment to the conservation of our natural
resources and superior effectiveness in advancing the cause of wildlife
conservation.
Clyde Morris, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, CA – As Manager of the Biological/Environmental Program at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR for the past ten years, Clyde Morris oversaw such monumental restoration projects as the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, which has since seen 120% increases in use by waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as the 1,400 acre endangered species habitat of Bair Island, the implementation of which would not have been possible without Morris's innovation, leadership and vision. Combining a strong natural resource conservation ethic and sound biological knowledge with skill at public administration, Morris successfully opened the refuge to wildlife dependent public uses such as hunting and environmental education, skillfully balancing the needs of the refuge with those of the 7 million residents in the surrounding urban area.
NWRS 2008 Volunteer of the Year Award
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| Volunteer of the Year, John Bertrand atop Chupadera Peak at Bosque del Apache NWR |
This
award was established to recognize the outstanding accomplishments
of volunteers. Each year volunteers make up a critical work force
that contributes over 1.5 million hours to the operation and management
of the Refuge System.
John Bertrand, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM – John Bertrand has volunteered over 11,650 hours with Bosque del Apache NWR in visitor services, publications, Festival of the Cranes, and as media relations specialist. Throughout his 14 years of service to the refuge, Bertrand has edited and published Habitat!, a state-wide publication devoted to public opportunities and events on the refuge. Proving his deep dedication to engaging the public in refuge support, Bertrand recently led Friends' fundraising efforts to purchase the long desired 140 acres of land adjacent to the refuge, including the 6272-foot summit of Chupadera Peak. In less than one year, they raised the $63,000 necessary to purchase the land for the refuge. To learn more about John Bertrand's many accomplishments, visit http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/bertrand/.
NWRS 2008 Friends Group of the Year Award
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Friends gather for wildlife drive at Sherburne NWR
|
This
award recognizes a Friends group that has shown outstanding leadership
as a voice of the community and as an advocate for the protection,
conservation, and enhancement of local refuges and the National
Wildlife Refuge System overall.
Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN – Through strong community engagement, fundraising, and advocacy efforts, the Friends of Sherburne NWR have proven that passionate Friends groups are critical to the success of the Refuge System. The Friends of Sherburne NWR increase community awareness and support for the refuge through their co-sponsorship of six popular annual events, membership in four local Chambers of Commerce, participation local fire safety and environmental education programs, the production and distribution of refuge-related guides and brochures, the development of an informativeand interactive website, and most recently, through a commitment to raise $5 million for a new Visitor Center and headquarters on the refuge. To learn more about the Friends of Sherburne, visit www.exploresherburne.org.
See 2008 National Wildlife Refuge System Awards Press
Release.
Past Refuge System Awards Recipients
