Washington, D.C. – June 08 –
Quail Forever (QF) and Pheasants Forever (PF) recently honored five U.S. Senators and seven U.S. Representatives with Conservation Leadership Awards for their efforts in furthering wildlife conservation initiatives on a national scale within the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill.
“It’s important for Pheasants Forever members, Quail Forever members, and hunters, anglers and outdoors people nationwide to know their concerns about conservation, land use, land access and wildlife habitat management are not only being heard, but are being met by some conservation-minded legislators,” said Dave Nomsen, PF/QF Vice President of Government Affairs. Nomsen presented the Conservation Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. along with Howard Vincent, PF/QF President and CEO, and Kim Price from the PF/QF National Board of Directors.
“The five Senators and seven Representatives selected for recognition all supported strong conservation provisions in the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title even when it wasn’t the easiest thing to do,” Nomsen said, “That support helped to further the wildlife legacy of a wide array of programs; including CRP, WRP, CSP, GRP, and WHIP to name a few. Additionally, their leadership created new conservation tax incentives, as well as new acres open to hunters through the brand new ‘Open Fields’ access provision.”
Senate Conservation Leadership Award recipients • Tom Harkin (D-IA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. In particular, his work to expand the wildlife benefits of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was acknowledged. • Kent Conrad (D-ND) – Recognized for his leadership in support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially the Open Fields provisions and modifications to CRP provisions regarding farmable wetlands. • Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) – Recognized for her support of conservation in the new Farm Bill, particularly for her efforts to create conservation tax incentives and easement provisions. • Pat Roberts (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of the overall Conservation Title, particularly for Open Fields provisions. • Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) – Recognized for his support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, and particularly for language to promote burning and thinning incentives within CRP which greatly benefit bobwhite quail.
House of Representatives Conservation Leadership Award recipients • Collin Peterson (D-MN) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, for his overall work on the 2008 Farm Bill. In particular, for his work to support the wildlife legacy of CRP. • Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting conservation as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. • Tim Holden (D-PA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. • Leonard Boswell (D-IA) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his support of CRP. • Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) – Recognized for her support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially for her leadership in “Sodsaver” provisions. • Jerry Moran (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his work on Open Fields provisions • Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, especially for his work on Open Fields provisions.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.
