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Dec. 15, 2017
Contact: Ed Golder, 517-284-5815
Natural Resource Commission honors William Demmer for commitment to conservation
 The Michigan Natural Resources Commission presented East Lansing resident William Demmer with the Thomas L. Washington Lifetime Commitment to Conservation Award at its monthly meeting yesterday in Lansing.
“Bill’s long history of devotion to our natural resources and scientific management of these resources is well-documented and well-known by many,” said NRC Chairman John Matonich.
The award is named for the late Tom Washington, a renowned Michigan conservationist and past director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. The award recognizes lifetime commitment to conservation, natural resources management or outdoor recreation and assisting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in carrying out its mission by providing outstanding volunteer, partner or professional service. Demmer has accomplished this and much more.
“I’ve had an opportunity to really explore and engage with my passion for conservation,” Demmer said. “I’ve been able to bring a skill set from different work environments into the world of conservation, helping to make a difference in this great, beautiful state of ours. This award signifies that my contributions have made an impact. It’s an honor.”
From 2012 to 2014, Demmer served as president of the Boone and Crockett Club, a prestigious national organization that for more than 125 years has been at the forefront of improving conservation issues.
Demmer was a major force in establishing the Boone and Crockett Chair in Wildlife Conservation at Michigan State University in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. This collaboration between MSU and Boone and Crockett Club members helps to bridge science and conservation policy by developing and promoting leadership to public and private organizations.
He also has worked tirelessly to assist MSU in expanding its conservation and natural resources investments, including co-founding and funding the MSU Flygirls Program, which offers fly-fishing classes and experiences to the next generation of women fisheries biologists.
With the assistance of his family, Demmer established the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and Training Center on the campus of MSU, a fully endowed, world-class facility dedicated to many of the same principles as the Boone and Crockett Club: promotion of firearms safety, hunter safety, wildlife management education and shooting sports skills development. The 24,000-square-foot facility allows the public to learn shooting safety and improve shooting and archery skills, in addition to housing MSU club shooting sports, including small bore, air rifle and archery.
Most recently, Demmer co-chaired the DNR’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Southern Michigan State Game Areas, resulting in a number of important recommendations to make more attractive and better utilize these vital public-owned areas.
Demmer was nominated for the award by current NRC member Rex Schlaybaugh. Nominations must be submitted for consideration by a member of the commission. Recipients are chosen by the NRC in consultation with the DNR director.
“I’ve known Bill for 40 years, and during this time he’s immersed himself in conservation and natural resources management while advancing the concept of scientific management of these resources,” said Schlaybaugh. “He was personally responsible for a number of impactful initiatives that have been incorporated into the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, including establishment of the Boone and Crockett Endowed Wildlife extension Program at MSU, the Boone and Crockett Club Distinguished Lectureship Series and the William A. Demmer Endowed Scholars Program. Bill’s commitment to our natural resources and improved management of them has been second to none.”
The William A. Demmer Endowed Scholars Program encompasses a senior-level class on advocacy in natural resources and a 13-week internship in Washington, D.C. Designed to articulate the history, policies and significant impacts that the Boone and Crockett Club has had on conservation in North America, the program provides opportunities for MSU undergraduate and graduate students to become paid interns at federal and nongovernmental organizations focused on natural resources.
DNR Director Keith Creagh echoed the others’ sentiments about the scope of Demmer’s impact on Michigan.
“By providing our youth with countless opportunities to engage in scientific management of natural resources through training and hands-on experiences, Bill has helped to ensure that these resources will be here for future generations,” Creagh said. “Bill Demmer has been a key conservation leader in Michigan and his opinion is routinely sought and valued on complex conservation issues.”
For more information about the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, visit the DNR website michigan.gov/nrc.
/Note to editors: Accompanying pictures of Bill Demmer and the award presentation are available below for download. Caption information follows.
East Lansing resident William Demmer was honored Dec. 14, 2017, by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission for his extensive contributions to Michigan's conservation efforts. Pictured here at the NRC meeting in Lansing are commission members Vicki Pontz, Rex Schlaybaugh and Christine Crumbaugh; Demmer; commission chair John Matonich; commission members Chris Tracy and Louise Knarr; and Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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