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2008 National Wetlands Awards Winners
AWARD FOR EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Caroline Dean, Opelika, Alabama
For over 40 years, Ms. Dean has dedicated herself to advocating for and educating others about native flora and wildflowers in the Southeastern U.S., especially those found in wetlands. She has contributed an extensive collection of photographs and descriptions to the Auburn University botanical archives and led rescue efforts to save plants from impending development. Ms. Dean frequently shares her expertise and enthusiasm in presentations to garden clubs, Cooperative Extension audiences, and Teachers’ Conservation Workshops and maintains a highly regarded website about Alabama wildflowers that has received nearly 100,000 visitors since 1995. Her continued efforts are particularly remarkable as she approaches her ninetieth birthday in summer 2008.
AWARD FOR SCIENCE RESEARCH
Raymond Semlitsch, Columbia, Missouri
Dr. Semlitsch is a Professor in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is leader in amphibian ecology and has led the conservation of small isolated wetlands by documenting their importance to the survival of amphibians and reptiles. His most important work established the ecological connection between aquatic and terrestrial environments for semi-aquatic species and defined terrestrial habitat around wetlands as “core habitat” for management and conservation. He currently is working on three projects that focus on the impacts of forest management on wetland-breeding amphibians, the balance between biodiversity conservation in isolated wetlands and land-use practices, and development of better wetland mitigation practices. He also has written several books, chapters, and over 170 scientific journal articles.
AWARD FOR CONSERVATION & RESTORATION
Mildred Majoros, South Miami, Florida
Ms. Majoros, a Project Manager with the Trust for Public Land, led an initiative to acquire 270 acres of coastal habitat – including 212 acres of intertidal and emergent wetlands – that benefits 14 federally-listed threatened and endangered species in Puerto Rico. The site includes one of the most important nesting grounds for the federally endangered leatherback sea turtle. Because of her efforts, this land has been permanently protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as the San Miguel Natural Reserve. She is currently negotiating with landowners to protect an additional 140 acres in the Northeast Ecological Corridor.
AWARD FOR LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP
Valer and Josiah Austin, Pearce, Arizona
Mr. and Mrs. Austin have invested in the maintenance of open spaces and restoration of watersheds to promote the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert region in southeastern Arizona. Their work began with restoration of more than 40 miles of washes on the El Coronado and Bar Boot Ranches. Recognizing the importance of a more regional approach, they expanded efforts to include restoration of wetland ecosystems on their ranches in San Bernardino Valley on the borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. The beginning of recovery of the 1.6 miles of wetlands on the San Bernardino Ranch in Sonora, Mexico is underway. In cooperation with numerous U.S. and Mexican organizations, the Austins are working on cross-border watershed management and a biological corridor initiative that will contribute to the restoration of wetland habitat.
AWARD FOR STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
John Dorney, Raleigh, North Carolina
Mr. Dorney, an employee of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has been the visionary and driving force behind the development of North Carolina’s wetland and stream protection programs since 1990. He has taken the state from a one-person operation to having one of the finest wetland protection programs in the country. His greatest accomplishment is the inclusive, multidisciplinary philosophy that is the underpinning of the state’s program. His primary activities are numerous, but several examples include: developing rules to protect wetlands, expanding the §401 water quality certification program, and developing policy for wetland-related programs.
AWARD FOR WETLAND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Diane Nygaard, Oceanside, California
Ms. Nygaard founded the non-profit Preserve Calavera, which, under her leadership, has become the largest conservation group in north San Diego County. Through this organization, she raised awareness of local leaders and the community regarding the importance of and threats to wetlands. Her major accomplishment has been to help purchase and restore the 134 acre Sherman property in Carlsbad, California. She also has provided comments that have led to avoidance and minimization of wetland impacts, helped secure wetland acquisition, wrote stream buffer guidelines, organized community wetland restoration projects and media efforts, and trained volunteers to monitor frog populations.
Past Awards Recipients (1989-2006)