Du Announces 2009 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards: Allan Stacey
Alan Stacey, State/Provincial Award Winner.
ARLINGTON, Va – -(AmmoLand.com)- Ducks Unlimited announced the winners of the 2009 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards at the 74th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
DU’s Wetland Achievement Awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the restoration and conservation of North America’s wetlands and waterfowl. The awards are presented in six categories. This year’s recipient for the State/Provincial award is Alan Stacey of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
“These individuals have each had a tremendous impact on North America’s waterfowl habitat,” said DU Executive Vice President Don Young as he presented the awards. “DU is proud to recognize their contributions and hopes their personal achievements inspire others to engage in conservation.”
Stacey began his career upon completion of his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oklahoma State University in 1978. From then to 1986 he was employed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service where he climbed the ladder to District Conservationist in northwest Oklahoma. He began working for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1986 and is currently the Wetlands Coordinator over state waterfowl management areas and private lands programs.
“Alan’s past experience with the NRCS, his current position with ODWC, and his recognition of the power of conservation partnerships make him especially well-suited to foster synergy, commitment and progress in wetlands conservation. Alan is deserving of this award by virtue of his 30 years of dedicated service to the people and places so vital to the resources we love; waterfowl and wetlands,” said DU Director of Conservation Programs, Scott Manley, who nominated him for the award.
“It is a distinct honor to be recognized by such a respectable organization as Ducks Unlimited. Throughout my entire ODWC career, I have had the opportunity to work with such great partners as DU, NRCS and others. When partnerships share mutual trust, inevitable challenges can be overcome, and the resources each partner brings to the table can be effectively packaged together to do great things for wetland conservation. That has been the key to our partnership successes with DU as well as others with which I have had the privilege to work,” Stacey said.
Stacey has worked tirelessly to protect and restore historical and continentally significant wetland areas. Most notable are Hackberry Flat in southwest Oklahoma and Drummond Flat in the northwest part of the state. Both areas were previously privately owned by multiple landowners, and Stacy has worked diligently with these landowners to bring more than 7,000 acres of historic wetlands back to life and into public ownership.
“His ability to convey the conservation message to these landowners and paint of mental picture for them that reflects ‘habitat sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever’ is by far one of Alan’s best talents and long-term contributions to conservation of vital wetland resources,” Manley said.
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With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands ? nature’s most productive ecosystem ? and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year