From eli@igc.apc.org Wed May 1 08:08:17 1996 Received: from mx5.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.04/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA06696; Wed, 1 May 96 08:08:17 -0700 Received: from igc7.igc.apc.org by mx5.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.04/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA11730; Wed, 1 May 96 08:08:16 -0700 Received: from igc4.igc.apc.org (igc4.igc.apc.org [192.82.108.37]) by igc7.igc.apc.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) with ESMTP id HAA29241 for ; Wed, 1 May 1996 07:33:34 -0700 (PDT) Received: (from eli) by igc4.igc.apc.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) id HAA20341 for consbio@u.washington.edu; Wed, 1 May 1996 07:31:31 -0700 (PDT) Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 07:31:31 -0700 (PDT) From: Environmental Law Institute Message-Id: <199605011431.HAA20341@igc4.igc.apc.org> To: consbio@u.washington.edu Subject: National Wetlands Awards April 22, 1996 For Immediate Release National Wetlands Award Winners Announced The Environmental Law Institute will present the 1996 National Wetlands Awards at a ceremony and reception at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 1996 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Representative Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) will keynote the ceremony. The National Wetlands Awards, sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are designed to recognize citizens who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in the field of wetlands protection through their programs or projects at the regional, state, and local level. "All too often, the contributions of citizens to the protection of our nation's natural resources are little noticed and acknowledged," said John Meagher, Director of EPA's Wetlands Division. " EPA is pleased to support the Environmental Law Institute's program to recognize those who protect wetlands, motivated not by mandatory requirements but by shared community values and the rewards that nature bestows. We are in debt to all Americans working toward a healthy productive environment." Ten individuals will be honored in the following categories: Education and Outreach; Science and Research; Volunteer Leadership; Land Stewardship and Development; and Outstanding Wetlands Program Development. This year's selection committee, 16 wetlands experts from all sectors including Susan Asamus (Environmental Policy Analyst, National Association of Home Builders); Paul Scott Hausmann (Chair, Association of State Wetlands Managers); Kym Murphy (Corporate Vice President of Environmental Policy, The Disney Corporation); Sara Nicholas (Director, North American Wetlands Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation); Darrel Smith (Field Editor, Farm Journal); Margaret Strand (Bayh, Connaughton & Malone); and Gene Whitaker (Director, National Wetlands Conservation Alliance) chose the winners from more than 110 nominations -- a record number. A list of the winners with a brief description of their achievements follows this announcement. There will be roundtable discussion to provide an opportunity to meet with these individuals and discuss their work from 12:00 - 1:30 pm on Friday, May 31, 1996, in the 7th floor conference room at the Environmental Law Institute, 1616 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. If you are interested in attending this discussion or the Awards Ceremony on May 30, please contact Adam Kaye at (202) 939-3828. The Environmental Law Institute is a nationally recognized center for research and education on environmental law, policy, and management. An independent, tax-exempt, and nonpartisan institution, ELI provides information, research and training, and policy analysis to a broad constituency of professionals in law, government, finance, business, advocacy organizations, and academia. For more information, contact Eric Eckl at (202) 939-3248 or visit us at http://www.eli.org 1996 National Wetlands Awards Winners EDUCATION/OUTREACH Sue Ellen Lyons - New Orleans, Louisiana During her 30-year teaching career, Lyons has educated thousands of Louisiana students about the importance of wetlands and involved them in countless conservation projects. She has also co-authored a series of wetlands teaching guides. SCIENCE RESEARCH William J. Mitsch, Ph.D. - Columbus, Ohio A Professor at Ohio State University, Mitsch has co-authored the essential textbook and reference on wetlands, as well as writing and editing several other books and numerous research articles. Mitsch has contributed his knowledge and expertise to several wetland preservation, creation, and restoration projects around the country. Klaus Richter, Ph.D. - Seattle, Washington Working in the Puget Sound region of Washington, Richter has conducted research on amphibian ecology and reproduction, wetlands, and stormwater control, all of which have direct applicability to wetland resource management, protection, and regulation. VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Virginia Michels Dent & Aurora Gareiss - Queens, New York Gareiss, co-founder of the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee in Queens, New York, and Dent, a volunteer for the organization, have vigorously led the group in protecting the tidal and freshwater wetlands of northeastern Queens. Both have worked for over 25 years to ensure the protection of Udalls Cove wetlands and led a successful campaign to purchase wetland areas, oppose harmful development, and rehabilitate wetlands in Queens. Martin Weeks - Vermillion, South Dakota Still living on the farm that his grandfather homesteaded in Vermillion, South Dakota, Weeks led the battle to save the Vermillion River from channelization and provided legal advocacy to the farmers who ultimately stopped the Oahe Irrigation Project, which would have channelized the James River. LAND STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT Don & Debbi Koeberlein - Tolono, Illinois Farmers from Tolono, Illinois, the Koeberleins have restored 20 acres of wetlands on their property and have inspired other landowners to restore wetlands in this heavily farmed area of the country. The Koeberleins maintain 110 acres of wetland pasture as wildlife habitat and have opened a commercial hunting preserve on their property. In his capacity as a drainage contractor, Don encourages his customers to protect wetlands. Bunker Sands - Dallas, Texas Sands has restored approximately 2,000 acres of wetlands on three ranches in Texas, providing both seasonal and permanent habitat for wintering waterfowl and migrating shorebirds and wading birds. He encourages graduate students to conduct monitoring projects on his property to collect information on the response of waterfowl and vegetation to wetlands restoration. OUTSTANDING WETLANDS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Jerry McCollum & Hillrie Quin - Atlanta & Conyers, Georgia McCollum, President of the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and Quin, with the Conservation Fund and Georgia Greenways, have spearheaded a wetland and river preservation movement in Georgia through their work on the Alcovy River Greenway, the Ebenezer Creek/Savannah River Greenway, and the Statewide River Care 2000 program. Donald M. Reed - Waukesha, Wisconsin Chief Biologist with the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Reed has been the major force in environmental planning for wetlands protection in southeastern Wisconsin for more than 20 years. His publications and planning have advanced the art and science of regional wetland delineation. Jackie Sartoris & Donald Witherill - Augusta, Maine Sartoris & Witherill worked with a state mandated task force to study mechanisms to streamline wetlands permitting in Maine -- an excellent example of state-federal partnerships benefiting both the regulated public and the environment. .