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CO-WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION AWARD NAMED

Ted Kupelian (202) 720-5776
 

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2003 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today presented its 2003 Excellence in Conservation Award to Dr. Bernard Sweeney, President and senior research scientist at the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, and Robert Boettcher, a Montana farmer.

“We received nominations from across the country. These individuals were selected for their outstanding efforts to conserve, maintain and improve the natural resources and environment on America’s private lands. This administration is proud to honor them for their high caliber of involvement and dedication to soil, water and air conservation and land stewardship,” said NRCS Chief Bruce Knight.

Sweeney directs a staff of 65 scientists, technicians and college interns at the Stroud Water Research Center. The Center is recognized nationally and internationally for its research on the structure and function of both natural and disturbed streams throughout the Western Hemisphere, with laboratories in Avondale, Pa., and Costa Rica.

Natural stream water from White Clay Creek at Avondale has been supplied to indoor streams at the Center for the past 35 years to provide unique research opportunities. The Center has one of the largest and long-term (30-plus years) research efforts in the world regarding how riparian forest buffers can improve habitat and water quality of streams and rivers.

Sweeney and staff currently are performing a multi-year study to assess the sources and impact of point and nonpoint pollution in all the streams and rivers providing drinking water to New York City. The Center also has ongoing work on some of the largest rivers in the country (Mississippi, Hudson, Savannah, Susquehanna, Flint and Schuylkill).

Under Sweeney’s leadership, the Center shares high-level research to develop practical field applications and educates 4,000 to 5,000 middle and high school students each year with hands-on, conservation programs.

Boettcher has been instrumental in using sustainable agriculture practices and is well-known throughout Montana for his conservation accomplishments. He volunteers his time as an associate supervisor for the Big Sandy Conservation District, serves on the State Technical Committee and is an active member of several agricultural and conservation organizations.

Boettcher has traveled to Taiwan as a delegate for the Western United States Trade Association to share his knowledge of Montana farm products. He has hosted groups of international agriculturists from Taiwan and Canada at his farm in Chouteau County, northeast of Great Falls, guiding them through his management process. He also is active in conservation education, conducts workshops on his farm and organizes farm tours.

NRCS initiated the Excellence in Conservation Award last year to recognize the voluntary contributions of nongovernmental individuals and groups to the conservation effort in such areas as technical assistance and other types of program delivery, technology transfer, outreach or communications. Any nongovernmental individual group, tribe or organization is eligible.

Sweeney and Boettcher were recognized during the second annual Excellence in Conservation Award ceremony at the USDA complex in Washington, D.C.

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