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Feb. 6, 2018
Contact: Holly Vaughn, 313-396-6863 or Al Stewart, 517-284-6221
DNR’s Clay Buchanan receives Conservationist of the Year Award from National Wild Turkey Federation
 The Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has named Clay Buchanan, an employee with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Lansing, as Outstanding Conservationist of the Year for 2017. The award was presented to Buchanan recently at the National Wild Turkey Federation Michigan State Chapter Convention meeting in Big Rapids.
As the DNR Wildlife Division’s statewide grant coordinator, Buchanan is responsible for the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to provide funding to conservation partners to assist the Wildlife Division with developing or improving wildlife habitat for game species.
The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program, which began in October 2013, is funded with a portion of the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses sold each year. The program is administered by the DNR through a cooperative effort between its Wildlife Division and Grants Management Section.
Buchanan was cited for his leadership in directing this newly created program.
“Through Clay’s guidance, the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program has provided an exciting opportunity to collaborate with others in the state to increase the habitat available for Michigan game species and to enhance the existing habitat for the benefit of hunters, trappers and wildlife viewers,” said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR’s Wildlife Division.
Al Stewart, DNR upland game bird specialist, had high praises for Buchanan, saying that he has helped to expand the DNR’s partnership with the NWTF and facilitated completion of on-the-ground turkey habitat in Michigan.
“The aim from the beginning of the grant program was to get more work done than we’ve been able to do – projects that we couldn’t get to but that we thought were priorities,” Stewart said. “Clay’s efforts have certainly helped to get more work done.”
The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is handled through a competitive-bid application process for local, state, federal and tribal governments, nonprofit and for-profit groups, and individuals. Minimum grant amounts are set at $15,000. Applications are scored on a variety of criteria, including need and potential impacts.
Grantees are required to provide at least a 10-percent match, but those who offer to provide a higher match are rewarded in the scoring process. Approximately $1 million in grants is distributed annually.
The National Wild Turkey Federation has been a grant recipient on several habitat improvement projects.
“NWTF has coordinated a number of these grant projects that have helped a variety of species by enhancing wildlife openings and increasing mast production,” said Ryan Boyer, the regional biologist with the National Wild Turkey Federation. “We’ve partnered with Whitetails Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the U.S. Forest Service, the Michigan National Guard and the Ruffed Grouse Society.”
“We believe that Clay Buchanan is committed to making a difference,” said Art Pelon, president of the Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. “He has been key to getting wildlife habitat established through partnerships in this state.”
The National Wild Turkey Federation, which is devoted to the conservation of wild turkeys and the preservation of hunting heritage, recognizes notable wildlife professionals in natural resources agencies around the country.
“This is an especially important tribute to bestow upon a wildlife professional because recipients are chosen for this award by NWTF members based on recommendations from their wildlife employee peers,” Pelon said. “We feel privileged to be able to partner with Michigan’s internationally recognized biologists and wildlife management leaders on conservation programs in Michigan.”
“We are honored to have one of our employees recognized for his contributions by a major conservation group such as the National Wild Turkey Federation,” Mason said. “This award reflects positively on the employee, and it confirms that key organizations appreciate quality employees, like Clay Buchanan, who work for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.”
Learn more about Wildlife Habitat Grants and all DNR grant opportunities at www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants.
/Editors’ note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
Art Pelon (right), president of the Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, presents the organization’s 2017 Outstanding Conservationist of the Year award to Clay Buchanan, who coordinates the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources./
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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