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| Partnership for Umpqua Rivers receives national Take Pride Award | ||
| 08/03/2006 | ||
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08-06
For more information:Monte Turner, OWEB 503-986-0195 Bob Kinyon, Partnership for Umpqua Rivers, 541-673-5756 Volunteer efforts on federal, state and local private lands lauded The Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers has been named as a recipient of the 2006 Take Pride in America National Award, which recognizes the Roseburg-based watershed council partnership group for outstanding volunteer efforts on federal, state and local private lands. Take Pride in America Executive Director Michelle Cangelosi announced the award in the Private Public Partnership category, and will make a formal presentation at an awards ceremony to be held September 14 at the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. According to Cangelosi, the Partnership’s long history of substantial accomplishments stood out to the judges. "I'm extremely pleased that we were recognized for this award. It's a tribute to our many volunteers and partners who make our work possible," said Bob Kinyon, executive director of the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers. The Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers is a nonprofit corporation that is charged with enhancing water quality and fish habitat within the Umpqua Basin, which stretches from the Cascades to the coast in southwest Oregon. Over the last decade, the Partnership has vigorously pursued their mission, working closely with a wide variety of landowners and agencies. Examples of the regional projects that the Partnership for Umpqua Rivers has completed include tree planting, fencing, livestock crossings, stock water, instream log and boulder structures, culvert replacements, volunteer water quality testing, watershed assessments and public education and outreach. "The partnership is a prime example of what’s been happening all over Oregon for the past 10 years to protect and restore fish habitat and improve water quality through coordinated, watershed-scale work implemented by grassroots efforts," said Tom Byler, executive director of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. "It's great to see their work recognized on a national level," he added. OWEB has invested more than $6.5 million in this kind of partnership work since 1999 in the Umpqua Basin, Byler reported. This year's winners in the annual Take Pride in America awards were selected from nominations representing individuals, groups and projects in 32 different states. "These Take Pride award winners embody the mission of Take Pride by accepting responsibility and taking action to enhance our public lands," Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said. "It is through their stewardship that they are creating a lasting legacy within their community," he noted. Take Pride in America, an initiative of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is a nationwide partnership program that inspires Americans to volunteer in caring for their public lands. The program's goal is to instill an active sense of ownership and responsibility in every citizen for natural, cultural and historic resources, and to support and recognize the efforts of those who volunteer for public lands. For more information, visit www.TakePride.gov. ###
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