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At it's March 7 annual business meeting,
Minnesota's Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
presented several awards, three of which went to an SWCD or SWCD
employee. The following information is also available in the
Chapter's April 14 newsletter and
the Chapter's
web site.
Outstanding Service Award for 2007:
Dennis Fuchs, Stearns County SWCD
The Outstanding
Service Award is available annually to a Minnesota Chapter SWCS
member who has ten years or more of service to the Chapter. This
year the Chapter recognizes Dennis Fuchs. Dennis has been an asset
to the work of soil and water conservation. He plans two CCA
updates each year to educate local professionals about current
subjects in conservation and agricultural concerns. Dennis has
recently completed an intensive leadership program (through
MARL www.marlprogram.org), demonstrating his enthusiasm
towards conservation by taking the time to improve upon his own
leadership skills to serve others. When he is not busy with other
volunteer or work items, Dennis is also willing and able to assist
with the MN SWCS Chapter. Dennis continues to be a strong leader
for the Stearns County SWCD. Thank you Dennis for all your
contributions to the natural resources field!
Education
Award for 2007:
Mille Lacs SWCD
The Education
Award is available annually to an individual, group, agency, etc.
for their contribution to the conservation education of adults
and/or youth. The Minnesota Chapter of SWCS recognizes the Mille
Lacs SWCD staff and supervisors. The Mille Lacs SWCD is a strong
leader in educating members of their community through workshops,
news releases, making themselves available for public meetings,
conducting nitrate clinics for free rural well water testing at the
county fair and the Princeton Expo. They also plan a 5th grade
education day in the spring of every year. In the past three years
they have put on or assisted a series of wildlife workshops, tree
planting workshops, and a horse grazing workshop, and they continue
to plan more ways to educate their constituents. Acting as the
county ag inspector, the Mille Lacs SWCD also plays an important
role in the noxious weed law. They have contributed as a pilot
county conducting weed mapping of leafy spurge, knotweed, noxious
thistles, and many more. They are also participating in biological
control methods for leafy spurge. They have done a tremendous job
of getting all the township and local folks on board to keep this
invasive at bay!
Merit
Award for 2007:
Wendy Griffin, Washington Conservation District
The Merit Award
is available annually to two SWCS member or non-member groups,
agencies, businesses, products, etc. for accomplishments or
contributions to the natural resources field. The Chapter
recognizes Wendy Griffin, a conservation district technician for
Washington Conservation District. Wendy has been a hard worker and
promoter of conservation programs for Washington County. Wendy’s
strong ability to work with others and develop excellent one-on-one
relationships with others has enabled her to accomplish results with
landowners and operators of Washington County, MN. It is because of
people like Wendy that conservation is accomplished on our
landscape! Wendy’s can-do attitude has made things happen and has
had a way of creating a domino effect with other urban conservation
districts in the Twin Cities. |
