March 28, 2008

Contacts:  Mike Olson 701-250-4419

                  Barb Perkins 303-236-4588

 

 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Missouri River Recovery Program Receives U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2007 Recovery Champion Award

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall has announced the sixteen recipients of the Service’s 2007 National Recovery Champion award. The Recovery Champion award recognizes outstanding contributions of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees and their partners toward efforts aimed at recovering threatened and endangered species in the United States.

 

Recovery of the endangered last tern, piping plover, and pallid sturgeon are one step closer due to the commitment, partnership, and leadership provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Endangered Species Office in Yankton, South Dakota.  Casey Kruse and his staff have worked to develop and implement one of the most comprehensive and geographically challenging endangered species monitoring and recovery programs in the nation.  This office leads the Corps on-the-ground efforts to implement an annual Missouri River program that has been funded between $50–85 million.  These monies have been used for recovery actions ranging from research and monitoring to habitat construction and sturgeon propagation support.  All of these activities are closely coordinated with the Service with the goal of recovery of the Missouri River ecosystem.

 

“The Recovery Champion award not only recognizes the exceptional conservation accomplishments of the honorees, it also provides the public with a unique opportunity to learn about endangered species conservation,” said Hall.  “These Recovery Champions are extraordinary conservationists dedicated to protecting and restoring our nation’s wildlife and ensuring that future generations of Americans enjoy the natural treasures we experience today.”

 

The 2007 Recovery Champion honorees’ contributions to the conservation of our natural heritage benefit a broad range of endangered and threatened plants and animals.  From whooping cranes to pallid sturgeons, Service employees and their partners have been working to recover our nation’s most imperiled wildlife.  Habitat protection, public awareness campaigns, and the development of cutting-edge technology to achieve captive breeding success are just a few examples of this year’s Recovery Champion honorees’ efforts.

 

For additional information please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Champion website at:  http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/champions/index.html

 

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 www.fws.gov.

 

-FWS-

Email Us: MountainPrairie@fws.gov