KANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION RECOGNIZES 13 CONSERVATIONISTS AT ANNUAL BANQUET

Local group acknowledges individual achievements in conservation

PRATT ­– The Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) honored 13 individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts in 2012 at the Conservation Achievement Program (CAP) Awards banquet on Feb. 23. The banquet, held in Emporia, was part of KWF’s annual meeting. Activities prior to the banquet included a social hour and silent auction. The evening concluded with a presentation by guest speaker Bob Gress, wildlife photographer and former Director of the Great Plains Nature Center.

Out of the 13 awards given, five of the recipients have been or are currently employed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT):

Matt Smith, Wildlife Conservationist Award

Smith began his career with KDWPT as a district wildlife biologist in the southwest part of the state. He later moved to a similar position at Wilson where he took on the additional responsibility of serving as a Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) area biologist. Recently, Smith has been focusing on Farm Bill issues important to the welfare of Kansas wildlife and their habitat. He currently resides in Wilson.

Randy Rodgers and Helen Hands, Land and Soil Wildlife Conservationist Award

Rodgers provided years of valuable service to KDWPT as an upland bird research biologist. He researched and developed options to improve habitat on private land in conjunction with crop production. Now retired, Rodgers and Hands, his wife – also a former KDWPT biologist – are developing wildlife habitat on their private land. They currently reside in Hays.

Thayne Smith, Conservation Communicator Award

Smith served as the chief of Information and Education for the Kansas Fish and Game Commission from 1966-1970. In that capacity, he edited the Kansas Fish & Game magazine. Smith was a founding member of the Outdoor Writers of Kansas organization, which is still active today. He was also the first recipient of the Conservation Communication award in 1967. Smith currently resides in Claremore, OK.

Other 2012 award recipients include:

• Mike Knotts, Peck, KS: Outdoor Skills Instructor Award
• Robert Robel, Manhattan, KS: Conservationist of the Year Award
• Stephen DeHart, Olathe, KS: Youth Conservationist Award
• Stephen Pletcher, Emporia, KS: Conservation Educator Award
• Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, Hutchinson, KS: Conservation Organization Award
• Tom Meek, Clay Center, KS: Water Conservationist Award
• Paul and Kristan Dean, Madison, KS: Forest Conservationist Award
• Mike Calwell, Shawnee Mission, KS: Stream Monitor Award
• Caleb Stotts, Fredonia, KS: Farmer/Rancher Wildlife Conservationist Award
• Ted Beringer, Lenexa, KS: President's Award

KWF, an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, has been dedicated to the sustainable use, conservation, appreciation, and restoration of Kansas wildlife and natural resources since 1950.

For more information on how you can support KWF, visit: www.kswildlife.org/donate.php or call (316) 214-3001.

Related articles

• U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Lesser Prairie Chicken Comments (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Public Input Sought on Draft Lesser Prairie Chicken Management Plan (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMITS AWARDED

Seven permits to be sold to raise money for conservation projects

LAWRENCE — Seven Kansas conservation organizations were awarded 2011 Commission Big Game permits in a drawing conducted at the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting Jan. 6 at the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive in Lawrence. Ninety-one eligible applications were submitted for the seven available permits.

Winners of the permits include the following:

• National Wild Turkey Federation, Neosho River Struttin' Toms Chapter (deer) — Brandon Houck, regional biologist, 620-443-5906,bhnwtf@hotmail.com;
• National Wild Turkey Federation, Smoky Valley Strutters Chapter (deer) — Brandon Houck, regional biologist, 620-443-5906,bhnwtf@hotmail.com;
• Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, Southeast Chapter (elk) — C. Douglas Blex, chapter coordinator, 620-289-4663,dblex@kaws.org;
• Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, I-70 Chapter (deer) — John Bond, 785-463-5804, jbond@kaws.org;
• Ducks Unlimited, El Dorado Chapter #027 (deer) — Roger Zettl, district chairman, 316-722-0951, rzettl@cox.net;
• Ducks Unlimited, Johnson County Chapter (deer) — Gary Mellard, area chairman, 913-851-1349, gary_mellard@yahoo.com; and
• Safari Club International, Kansas City Chapter (antelope) — Rodney D. Heinsohn, treasurer, 913-236-4490, rodney.heinsohn@sci-us.com.

Qualified applicants must be local nonprofit conservation organizations or Kansas chapters of national organizations based or operating in Kansas that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage.

Commission Big Game permits were first awarded in 2006. Winners purchase the permits and typically auction them at their respective conventions and banquets to raise funds for conservation projects. After a permit is sold by an organization, the amount of the permit is subtracted, and 85 percent of the proceeds are sent to KDWP to be used on approved projects. After the projects are approved, the money is sent back to the organization for the project. The other 15 percent may be spent at the organization’s discretion.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks regulations allow someone who buys a Commission Big Game permit at auction to also purchase another deer permit valid for an antlered deer or, if the Commission Big Game permit is for an elk, to also draw (or have drawn in the past) an antlered elk permit. These would be the only situations in which an individual could have valid permits for two buck deer in one year, or to have previously drawn an antlered elk permit and still be able to obtain another one. One antelope and one elk Commission Big Game permit are offered in the drawing.

In 2010, permits were won by two National Wildlife Federation Chapters — Bonner Springs (elk permit sold for $9,500) and Mound City (deer permit sold for $5,500); Ottawa Pheasants Forever (deer permit sold for $3,500); Oberlin Gun Club (deer permit sold for $5,500); Ark Valley Ducks Unlimited (deer permit sold for $5,500); National Mule Deer Foundation (deer permit sold for $14,000); and Cowley County Friends of NRA (deer permit sold for $3,500). The permits sold for $47,000 — just $2,000 shy of the record, the first year the drawing was held.