At its annual Minnesota state convention, Ducks Unlimited recognized seven conservation partners in conservation for their commitment to improve Minnesota&8217;s wetland and waterfowl resources. The 2007 Minnesota DU conservation awards were presented to:

– Perry Loegering (DNR Wildlife) &045; Conservation Professional of the Year

– McLeod County Board of Commissioners &045; Elected Official of the Year

– Freeborn County Board of Commissioners &045; Partner of the Year

– Mark Gulick (DNR Wildlife) &045; Beyond the Call

– Winston Peterson (Landowner) &045; Beyond the Call

– Dave Soehren (DNR Wildlife) &045; Beyond the Call

– Joel Heyn (DNR Enforcement) &045; Waterfowl Conservation Officer of the Year DU began the Minnesota conservation awards program in 2000 to recognize key individuals, organizations and partners who contribute to DU&8217;s goals to fulfill the habitat needs of North America&8217;s waterfowl.

&8220;The 2007 recipients represent a true cross-section of the dedicated partners we are working with to implement the Living Lakes Initiative in Minnesota,&8221; said Ryan Heiniger, DU director of conservation programs for Minnesota. &8220;This year also marks the first time we have recognized a landowner and two county boards for their respective contributions to wetland conservation.&8221;

The &8220;2007 Partner of the Year&8221; award was given to Freeborn County Board of Commissioners for its leadership role in the 1,875-acre Geneva Lake enhancement project. Though Geneva Lake is one of 40 shallow lakes legally designated by the DNR for wildlife management purposes in Minnesota, Freeborn County owns the outlet structure. To make the project a reality, Freeborn County agreed to let DU replace a dam on the outlet with a new variable crest structure better suited for managing water levels in the lake and agreed to allow the DNR to use the new structure to improve and manage the lake. &8220;Freeborn County&8217;s support and participation was instrumental in making the project possible,&8221; DU&8217;s Schneider said. Mark Behrends, chairman of the board, accepted the award on behalf of the county.

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world&8217;s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands &8212; nature&8217;s most productive ecosystem &8212; and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.