Canvasback Award Received by Congressman Dingell for Efforts for Waterfowl

Congressman John Dingell of Michigan has been recognized by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Commission for his decades of contributions to waterfowl conservation.

Dingell received the International Canvasback Award on June 10 during a meeting of the commission.

"For me, this work protecting our planet is truly a labor of love. Conservationists have been some of my best friends in my Congressional career," Dingell said. "Of course the greatest reward of all is seeing our land; our water and our air get the protections they deserve. The people at the Plan Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited, they are wonderful partners in the conservation movement and they all provide a valuable service to our world."

"The many contributions of Congressman John Dingell to waterfowl conservation are legion and a testament to his dedication to preserving our natural world," said Rowan Gould, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "During his 53 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Dingell has demonstrated time and time again that he is a champion of wildlife conservation and natural resource management."

"Congressman Dingell has served nearly 40 years as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, identifying and approving wetland conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico that best serve the needs of North American waterfowl and other wildlife, " according to a statement by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

"During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Dingell has provided leadership in efforts to pass landmark legislation such as the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act and the Clean Water Act. He is also a founding member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus. Congressman Dingell was the catalyst for the creation of the first wildlife refuge that spanned national borders – the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge."

"The success of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan is directly tied to the contributions of our dedicated partners," said Paul Schmidt, co-chair of the Plan Committee and the Service’s Assistant Director for Migratory Birds. "With his tireless support for wetlands and waterfowl conservation, Congressman Dingell has certainly proven himself to be one of our most valuable partners."

"The International Canvasback Award recognizes individuals, corporations or organizations that have made substantial contributions over a long period to the implementation and continuation of the Plan throughout North America."

Dingell was nominated for the award by Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

"The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is an international strategy for conserving migratory waterfowl throughout the continent," according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. "The Plan's goal is to return waterfowl populations to their 1970s levels by conserving wetland and upland habitat. Canada and the United States signed the plan in 1986; Mexico joined in 1994.

This article was published first at the Blogger News Network.