RENO, Nev., Feb. 13, 2008—The 1st Annual NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation
Leadership Award was presented to Montana farmer Milo L. “Buzz” Mattelin for his
leadership and service in conserving natural resources on privately owned land.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Arlen Lancaster and Steve
Robinson, acting president of the National Association of Conservation Districts
(NACD), praised Mattelin for his contributions to conservation.
“Buzz Mattelin’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing conservation
partnerships at all levels. His efforts have produced real conservation benefits
on the land and inspired others to be better stewards,” said Lancaster.
Mattelin, a third-generation farmer from Culbertson, has helped establish
working relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies;
tribes; and private and nonprofit conservation organizations. Established in
tribute to the late NACD President, the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award
recognizes outstanding conservation leadership at the state and local level.
Sims, a rancher from McFadden, Wyoming, lived a life distinguished by years of
volunteer service to conservation.
“Olin was a true conservationist who was equally committed to practicing
conservation and advocating for it,” said Robinson. “This award epitomizes the
conservation leadership and integrity that was his life and highlights the
leadership of other conservationists who assume the mantle of conservation
leadership into the future.”
Mattelin received the award during the Appreciation Banquet of NACD’s Annual
Conference in Reno.
The NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award will be presented annually
to an individual, district, or organization. Recipients will be selected based
upon superior service to the conservation community in promoting and leading
conservation on private lands.
Since its inception in the 1930’s, NRCS’s conservation delivery system continues
a unique partnership, delivering conservation that respects local needs, while
accommodating state and national interests. For more information on NRCS, the
conservation partnership, and conservation programs available in your community,
stop by your local USDA service center, or visit NRCS online at
www.nrcs.usda.gov.
NACD is the non-profit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation
districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For
almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating
landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply
effective conservation practices. NACD’s website is at
www.nacdnet.org.
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The Natural Resources
Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help
people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.
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