National Fish Habitat Recognizes Exceptional Individuals

May 5, 2009 By: Marshall Cutchin

At the recent Jim Range National Casting Call, the National Fish Habitat action plan recognized Patagonia‘s Yvon Chouinard, EPA ecologist Janet Nestlerode, Project SHARE and others with 2009 National Fish Habitat Awards. Chouinard was given the Jim Range Conservation Vision Award. As the NFH said in last week’s press release: “In 1986, Patagonia began a program that makes it unique among corporate entities that care about fisheries habitat. Patagonia committed to donate 10% of profits each year to grass-roots environmental groups. They later upped the ante to 1% of sales, or 10% of profits, whichever was greater.”
Read the extended entry for the full press release.


NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS AT JIM RANGE NATIONAL CASTING CALL
(Washington, DC) – The National Fish Habitat action plan recognized the extraordinary achievements of select individuals and organizations at the Jim Range National Casting Call on Monday, March 27th on the grounds of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, along the banks of the Potomac River in Washington DC.
Project SHARE, Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia), Steve Jordan, Lisa Smith and Janet Nestlrode (EPA) and the Lake Leaders Institute, University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes Program, were all recipients of 2009 National Fish Habitat Awards. This was the second year for the awards which bestow high honors, coinciding with the National Casting Call event, a fitting venue to raise awareness for fisheries and habitat issues.
The winners for 2009 National Fish Habitat Awards were as follows:
Outreach and Education Award:
The Lake Leaders Institute, University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes
Accepting the Award: Kim Becken, Outreach Specialist
(Presented by: Rowan Gould, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Scientific Achievement Award:
Stephen J. Jordan, Lisa M. Smith, Janet A. Nestlerode
Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Research and Development
Accepting the Award: Steve Jordan PhD, Office of Research and Development, (EPA)
(Presented by: Ron Regan, Resource Director, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies)
Jim Range Conservation Vision Award:
Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia)
Accepting the Award: Alex Swezey, Patagonia, Washington DC
(Presented by: Kelly Hepler, NFHAP Board Chair)
Extraordinary Action Award:
Project SHARE (Salmon Habitat and River Enhancement)
Accepting the Award: Steve Koenig, Executive Director, Project Share
(Presented by: Sam Rauch, NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs)
Following the Awards ceremony the National Fish Habitat Action Plan’s 10 “Waters to Watch” list was unveiled to the Casting Call attendees and media present. Over the next several months, a major outreach effort will be initiated to bring attention to not only these 10 “waters,” but projects nationwide being conducted under the Action Plan’s Fish Habitat Partnerships.
The National Fish Habitat Awards presentation was just a portion of the program for the Jim Range National Casting Call. Other agencies represented for the Monday event included The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF).
Award Winner Quotes:
From Steve Koenig: “I am truly thankful in graciously accepting this honor. There are so many organizations working hard to improve fish habitat on a daily basis throughout the country and I am proud to say Project SHARE is one of those working for Salmon in the Rivers of Maine.”
From Kim Becken: “The Lake Leaders Institute is truly honored to accept this award. Community involvement and Partnerships are key in making conservation initiatives work in the Great Lakes region. This recognition displays the power of people putting their effort towards a common goal in supporting education initiatives leading to success.”
From Steve Jordan: “This award would not be possible without the hard work of my colleagues from the Office of Research and Development with the EPA. With our work, we are hoping to shed a new light on the critical needs for fish habitat across the nation.”
From Alex Swezey: “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Yvon. Yvon’s vision is the core basis of why Patagonia has grown into the company that it is today, putting innovation into business.”
From Kelly Hepler (NFHAP Board Chair): “We as a Board and staff are grateful for these award winners’ contributions to all areas of fish habitat in working to meet the critical needs that exist today. We hope that these awards will be held high to inspire more people to support the progression of fisheries habitat issues.”
About the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to treat the causes of aquatic habitat decline and fix the nation’s most pressing fisheries problems. The Action Plan is a science-based investment strategy to conserve waterways and make conservation dollars stretch farther by combining federal and privately raised funds to build regional partnerships. For more information, visit www.fishhabitat.org.
CONTACT:
Ryan Roberts Communications Coordinator
301-713-4300 x 171 [email protected]