The Nature Conservancy Confers Ninth Annual Conservation Leadership Awards
Brian Richter, co-director of global freshwater conservation for the Conservancy, gave the keynote address
PORTLAND, OREGON — October, 2009
The Nature Conservancy honored Oregon’s “conservation heroes” today at its ninth annual Conservation Leadership Awards Luncheon. Held at the Oregon Zoo, the event brought together community and business leaders to recognize individuals, community partners, businesses and others for their leadership in conserving Oregon’s natural lands and waters.
"Oregon is rich in its diversity of habitats for fish and wildlife, and we're honoring the exceptional leadership of those who are helping to keep it that way,” said Russell Hoeflich, vice president and Oregon director of The Nature Conservancy.
The 2009 Conservation Leadership Award recipients are:
- Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award: Jm Ratzlaff
An avid fly-fishing Kansan, Jim Ratzlaff brought his lifelong passion for rivers and prairies with him to Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. When he retired from business, he pursued a life of active conservation — as a volunteer leader of several conservation organizations, as owner of a sustainably managed ranch, and as a dedicated supporter of efforts to protect river and grassland habitats in Oregon and beyond, including a significant expansion of the Conservancy’s Zumwalt Prairie Preserve.
- Business Partner Conservation Leadership Award: Vernier Software & Technology
In a state renowned for green business, this educational and technology software company raises the bar not only by making products that connect teachers and students with nature, but also by practicing a conservation ethic that includes sustainably designed facilities, green commuting, employee volunteerism for the environment, and nearly 15 years supporting the work of The Nature Conservancy.
- Community Partner Conservation Leadership Award:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
Operating 13 dams that control the volume and timing of Willamette River flows, the Corps of Engineers, working with a diversity of partners, has pioneered an effort to adjust flow patterns to address the needs of a freshwater ecosystem and to benefit important runs of salmon and other fish and wildlife, while continuing to balance human needs.
Brian Richter, co-director of global freshwater conservation for The Nature Conservancy, was the keynote speaker. For 20 years Richter has developed scientific river management and restoration strategies and has consulted on more than 120 river projects around the world with governments, industry, nonprofits and communities. With thousands of major new dams being planned and constructed worldwide, Richter highlighted ways rivers can be managed to sustain their valuable diversity of fish and wildlife. His presentation included case studies in the U.S. and China where river flows controlled by dams have been designed to protect and improve river habitats while also meeting human needs.
About 375 people attended today's luncheon. Corporate sponsors of the Conservation Leadership Awards include The Oregonian.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. In Oregon, the Conservancy owns or manages 46 nature preserves and has helped protect over 500,000 acres of important habitats, with support from 20,000 member households.
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