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April 5, 2018
Contact: Holly
Vaughn, 313-396-6863
DNR’s Russ Mason receives Conservation Service Award from Pheasants
Forever and Quail Forever
 Pheasants Forever and
Quail Forever recently presented Dr. Russ Mason, Michigan Department of
Natural Resources Wildlife Division chief, with their Conservation Service
Award during the 83rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources
Conference in Norfolk, Virginia.
“It’s a special honor to be recognized
by a conservation-minded organization like Pheasants Forever. I’m humbled and
delighted to represent the hard work and dedication of professionals in
Wildlife Division and the rest of Michigan DNR, as well as countless
hunter-conservationists,” said Mason.
Mason was nominated
for this award because of his outstanding efforts to promote upland hunting
and habitat conservation throughout the state as part of the Michigan Pheasant
Restoration Initiative. His achievements include:
- Support
of the Farm Bill biologist partnership in Michigan to assist private
landowners with habitat projects.
- Unwavering
support of the Michigan
Pheasant Restoration Initiative and expansion of this important
program throughout the state.
- Financial
backing of the Habitat Incentive Program in south-central Michigan to get
more landowners enrolled in Farm Bill programs.
- Support
of $105,000 in funding over three years to partner with Pheasants Forever
on a new statewide Adopt-A-Game-Area Program with local chapters.
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“It is through Chief
Mason’s support of upland game bird management and his leadership that we are
able to foster and expand pheasant habitat in the state,” said Al Stewart, DNR
upland game bird specialist. “It’s great that Russ was honored at a national
level by Pheasants Forever for all the work that has been implemented in
Michigan for pheasants and pheasant habitat. With his continued support,
we’re looking forward to additional accomplishments in the future.”
In addition to Mason,
Pheasants Forever selected six other nationwide award winners for their
distinguishing contributions to wildlife habitat conservation efforts,
including partnership programs that have achieved landscape-level habitat
improvements for a variety of wildlife species.
“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Conservation
Service Awards recognize individuals who have helped impact the mission of our
organization through habitat improvements, public access, policy and R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) initiatives in the United States,” said Howard Vincent, president and CEO of
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “These folks represent the spirit and
motivation of The North American [Model of Wildlife Conservation] and are part
of the solution for sustaining America’s wildlife populations and outdoor
heritage.”
/Note to editors:
An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information
follows.
DNR Wildlife Division
Chief Russ Mason (left) receives the
Conservation Service Award from Howard Vincent, president and CEO of Pheasants
Forever and Quail Forever./
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