Target these long-billed birds on the state’s public lands, and you’re certain to have a great time.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is now accepting nominations for the 46th Governor’s State Conservation Achievement Awards, which recognizes those people and organizations making outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare and environmental quality of the community, parish and state.
Nominations are now open and will be accepted until Feb. 2.
There are eight award categories for which nominations can be made: professional; volunteer; business; educator; youth; elected official; communications and organization.
The awards themselves, handsome statuettes of wild animals, are unique to the program and highly coveted by all who receive them.
“For over 40 years the federation’s annual conservation awards program has recognized those individuals, organizations and businesses who have gone ‘above and beyond’ in their efforts to conserve fish and wildlife resources, to enhance opportunities for all of our citizens to enjoy the outdoors, to improve the quality of the environment, and to educate and advocate on behalf of our natural resources here in Louisiana,” said awards program co-chair Joe L. Herring. “Thanks to the participation of hundreds of Louisiana citizens who have, over the years, encouraged good conservation work by submitting nominations to the program, these awards are widely acclaimed as the most prestigious recognitions of conservation accomplishment that are presented annually in our state.”
Herring noted that, in keeping with tradition, Governor Jindal has endorsed the program, and encourages the public to make nominations.
The awards will be presented on Feb. 27 at a special banquet held in conjunction with the 71st annual convention of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend Reservoir near Many.
More details of the program, including rules, descriptions of award categories, a nomination forms and tips on submitting a nomination are posted on the LWF website (www.lawildlifefed.org) along with a “model” nomination prospective participants can consult.
Those awarded for accomplishments in 2008 were:
• Leonard “Len” Bahr of Baton Rouge, recently retired after many years with the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities where he helped to coordinate and lead the state’s coastal restoration efforts, for creating LACOASTPOST.com, a weblog about all things coastal that serves as a new conscience for Louisiana’s coastal protection & restoration endeavors;
• John Pitre of Alexandria, State Wildlife Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service for developing and delivering habitat conservation strategies through coordination with and outreach to other agencies and private landowners throughout the state;
• R. King Milling of New Orleans, Chairman of the Board of the America’s WETLAND Foundation and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection & Restoration for effectively impressing the urgency of Louisiana’s coastal land loss on diverse and influential audiences and for leading efforts to rally those constituencies in support of effective restoration and protection strategies;
• The Lafayette 4-H Junior Leader Club for outreach and assistance to 4-Hers and their families in Cameron Parish after the hurricanes and continuing with hands-on coastal restoration activities there;
• The Toledo Bend Lake Association for uniting the community in support of protecting, conserving and enhancing Toledo Bend Lake with a variety of projects ranging from Florida bass stocking and improving fishing habitat, access and opportunities to teaching all the 5th graders in the Parish how to fish.
