Date: 11/7/07
Contact: C. Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR CONSERVATION AWARD

Do you know someone who has contributed significantly to the conservation, management or enhancement of wildlife in Nevada? Or are you familiar with an organization that has played an important role in the state’s conservation arena?

If so, you may want to nominate that individual or organization for the 2007 Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Conservation Award for which the Nevada State Board of Wildlife commissioners is currently accepting nominations. This award is presented annually to recipients who have demonstrated significant results towards conservation, management or enhancement of wildlife. An individual, non-profit organization, outdoor sports club, or business may be nominated for the award.

“This is an opportunity for the Department of Wildlife to recognize those who have contributed so much to the future of Nevada’s wildlife,” said department spokesman Doug Nielsen. “These are generally people who go about quietly doing good things for wildlife and don’t seek the spotlight, yet their contribution to conservation often can’t be fully measured.”

Wayne E. Kirch, the awards namesake, served as a member of the Wildlife Commission, then known as the Fish & Game Commission, for more than 25 years. That is the longest tenure since the commission’s inception in 1877. The Kirch Wildlife Management Area north of Alamo is also named for the former commissioner who passed away in 1989.

Selection of the winning nominee will be made solely from information provided on the official award nomination form, which can be downloaded from the Department of wildlife website – www.ndow.org. The winner will be determined by a simple majority of votes from a judging committee that is comprised of two members of the Wildlife Commission, NDOW staff assigned to the Kirch Award Committee, Marlene Kirch (daughter of Wayne Kirch) and four judges representing County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife.

In 2006, Kevin “CK” Baily from northern Nevada won the award for his contribution to the planning and development of an urban fishery in Carson City. The conservation award consists of a perpetual bronze and wood plaque, on which that year’s recipient's name is added. Each winner also receives a smaller version of the award for their personal use.

This year's award is for projects that occurred in 2007. Nominations must be submitted to NDOW at the address provided on the nomination form.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.