Six Wetland Stewards Win 2007 National Wetlands Awards Six citizens have been recognized nationally for their on-the-ground wetland conservation efforts and decades-long dedication to protecting these important natural resources. A diverse panel of wetland experts assembled at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) earlier this month to select the winners of the 2007 National Wetlands Awards. This year's Award winners hail from all regions of the country and exemplify the extraordinary commitment and innovation that is so instrumental to conserving wetlands in the Nation's communities. "These wetland champions are restoring and protecting one of America's greatest natural assets through education, conservation, and dedication," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water. "These profiles, both in courage and in stewardship, show us all how to meet the President's national goal of increasing, not simply maintaining, the quantity and quality of our wetlands." The 2007 awardees are: -The Brockway Family, an Iowan family that has enhanced and restored over 250 acres of wetlands on their land; -Jeanne Christie, a national leader in the development of local, state and national wetland programs; -Paul Keddy, a wetland ecologist and professor at Southeastern Louisiana University who has developed strategic plans for scientific wetland restoration; -Jeff Nania, who as director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association has led the restoration of thousands of acres of wetlands; -Lynda Saul, Wetlands Program Manager at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality who established the Montana Wetlands Council with over 400 members state-wide; -Alice Wellford, a wetlands advocate and community organizer based in Richmond, Virginia. Collectively, the award winners have conserved thousands of wetland acres and have mobilized hundreds of other individuals to contribute to wetland conservation. In May, they will take a well-deserved break from their efforts to receive their awards at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. "We look forward to meeting the winners of this year's awards and honoring them for their extraordinary achievements in wetland conservation," said Dr. Bill Hogarth, Assistant Administrator, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. "We are proud to support ELI's National Wetland Awards recognizing these individuals for their contributions to society and the aquatic environment. Healthy wetlands and ecosystems are vital to our nation's recreational and commercial fish and shellfish fisheries, and other living marine resources." Program co-sponsors-the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway Administration, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service-hope that recognizing wetland leaders for their efforts will inspire others to follow their example. Given the national importance of wetlands, the federal agencies that sponsor the awards welcome the opportunity to recognize and encourage voluntary wetland conservation efforts. "Wetlands provide a vital link between our land and water resources, supplying a wide variety of ecological functions. The Forest Service is proud to support the National Wetland Awards program and to recognize the extraordinary work of the award recipients," commented Abigail R. Kimbell, Chief of USDA Forest Service. The winners of the National Wetlands Awards demonstrate how citizens and communities can-and do-make a difference. Arlen Lancaster, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, stated, "Thanks to the partnership, commitment and hard work of the 2007 National Wetlands Award winners, NRCS has helped restore, improve, or protect nearly 888,000 wetland acres since the President announced the National Wetlands Initiative in April 2004. We are well on our way to achieving the President's goal of three million acres of the nation's wetlands restored, improved, and protected by 2009." "Wetlands provide optimum migrating, wintering, and breeding habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and other wetland dependent wildlife species, as well as essential habitat for many neo-tropical birds. What we do for conservation today is important. What we do for conservation tomorrow is vital," said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. ***** For more information on the National Wetlands Awards Program, the 2007 awardees, or the May awards ceremony, please contact Jared Thompson at the Environmental Law Institute at (202) 939-3247 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Information is also available online at www.nationalwetlandsawards.org.
