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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ron Tull (202) 208-6416
Ashley Spratt (612) 713-5314
Secretary Salazar Presents Operation Migration with
Partners in Conservation Award
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today presented a Partners in Conservation Award to Operation Migration for their efforts to reintroduce the whooping crane to its native flyway in the eastern United States. Operation Migration, based in Ontario, Canada is a founding member of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, a coalition of nine public and private agencies from Canada and the United States organized to reintroduce a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes (Grus Americana) into their historic range in eastern North America.
The award was one of 26 national awards to individuals and organizations presented at a ceremony at Interior headquarters in Washington, D.C. to honor “those who achieve natural resource goals in collaboration and partnership with others.”
“Operation Migration is a critical partner in this unprecedented effort to reintroduce whooping cranes into the eastern flyway,” said Tom Melius, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director. “We are grateful for the efforts of the entire OM crew, volunteers and members of the WCEP team in helping to make this project a success. Quite simply, we couldn’t do this without them.”
The 26 Partners in Conservation Awards recognize conservation achievements resulting from the cooperation and participation of a total of 600 individuals and organizations including landowners; citizens’ groups; private sector and nongovernmental organizations; and federal, state, local, and/or tribal governments.
“Operation Migration has successfully reintroduced whooping cranes into their historic range in eastern North America by teaching them to migrate; few other organizations have such a direct interaction with the species they are trying to preserve.” Since 2001, eight generations of Whooping cranes have been taught to migrate in an effort designed to develop a self-sustaining population of the endangered species.
“These 26 awards recognize the dedicated efforts of people from all walks of life, from across our nation– and from across our borders with Canada and Mexico,” Salazar noted. “They celebrate partnerships that conserve and restore our nation’s treasured landscapes and watersheds, partnerships that engage Native American communities, and partnerships that engage youth.”
List of Operation Migration Staff and Volunteers
Deke Clark
Liz Condie
Chris Danilko
Joseph Duff
Chris Gullikson
Beverly Paulan
Brooke Pennypacker
Heather Ray
Richard van Heuvelen
Paula and Don Lounsbury
George McCubbin
Gerald Murphy
Dale Richter
Nan Rudd
Walter Sturgeon
Jack Wrighter
For more information about the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, visit http://www.bringbackthecranes.org.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
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