For the past 19 years, James H. Griggs has worked diligently with private landowners, public and private entities, and state officials, as Alabama’s State Lands Director.  In this capacity, Jim is responsible for the management and care of 800,000 acres of terrestrial and submerged state lands, the revenues that flow from those lands to our state and our citizens, and the long-term health of the natural resources and wildlife habitats that reside on those lands.

Jim also has a passion for educating the general public, both young and old, about the value of our natural resources.  The Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Mobile, the Blakely Nature Center in Baldwin County, and the Wehle Nature Center in Bullock County, and the Coastal Birdfest exist today because of the dedication, leadership, and involvement of Jim Griggs.  Through these facilities and events, both present and future generations have ample opportunities to learn about the outdoors. 

However, without question, Jim’s greatest passion is helping secure for the long-term wild places in Alabama through the Forever Wild Program.  He has been intimately involved with the development and execution of the Forever Wild Program since its inception in 1992.  In fact, the very first Forever Wild purchase was a direct result of the personal involvement of Jim Griggs and Grady Hartzog and the relationship they fostered with Mr. Bob Wehle.  Since inception of the program 64 properties totaling 138,000 acres have been secured for natural area, wildlife management area, and outdoor recreation use, thanks in large part to Jim’s passion for the program.

People who have worked closely with Jim describe him as tenacious, dedicated, passionate, and highly professional.  And as one person stated “He is the epitome of what you would want in a public official who is charged with being a steward of public trust resources.”

For his personal commitment and dedication to Alabama’s natural resources and its citizens, we present the 2008 Conservationist of the Year, Mr. James H. Griggs.

Anna Vines has a great love of the outdoors and an appreciation for the value of our abundant natural resources. She has a keen interest and admiration for conservation and it shows on her family’s tree farm in Coosa County. Whether it be planting food plots, monitoring and harvesting crawfish, clearing trails or feeding the farm animals, Anna has played an integral part in the farm’s success – a success story that was recognized two years ago with the State Helene Mosley Memorial TREASURE Forest Award.

In addition to her work on the farm, Anna has been involved in 4-H since she was in the fourth grade. Although she has participated in almost all the 4-H contests and events, she has performed exceptionally well in her favorite 4-H programs - forestry and wildlife judging.

In 2005, Anna and her teammates won the State 4-H Forestry Judging Competition and represented Alabama at the national event in West Virginia.  She was the captain of the Quiz Bowl Team and helped lead her team to victory. The Coosa County Forestry Judging Team returned home as National Champions and with Anna placing second in the nation in Individual Overall Scoring.

In 2007, Anna and her teammates won the State 4-H Wildlife Judging Competition and headed to Utah for the national event.  Again, even in an area and habitat very different from Alabama, they brought home the National Championship title, beating the Utah team on their own turf and defeating 19 teams from other states.  And this time Anna took first place in the nation with the Highest Overall Individual Score.

For these outstanding accomplishments by a youth, we present the 2008 Youth Conservationist of the Year, Ms. Anna Vines.

Dr. Jim Armstrong is an exceptional professional Wildlife Biologist who serves as Extension Wildlife Specialist and Professor at Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.  Throughout his career, Jim has been an effective influence on a variety of fronts in the natural resources community.

Jim has been a leader in the field of wildlife/human conflicts and has spent considerable effort teaching people how to manage wildlife so that these conflicts are minimized or eliminated.  He has also been a leader in the human dimensions of wildlife management arena.  As he has been known to say “Wildlife Management is actually 90 percent people management and 10 percent wildlife management.”  Many a graduate student mentored by Dr. Armstrong has used this wisdom to their advantage as they pursued their careers.

But most would say that Jim’s greatest passion and impact has been his work with young people to instill in them the knowledge and understanding of wildlife and the outdoors.  Since 1990, Jim has been a dedicated leader with the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) and has served on the national steering committee for the past 14 years, six of those years as Chairman.  He is currently one of only two permanent committee members at the national level.

Through his involvement, the 4-H WHEP has grown to the successful program that it is today. He supervised the national expansion efforts of the program from 1998-2000 and administered a $180,000 United States Fish and Wildlife Service grant to support the expansion effort.

In these capacities and due to his personal passion and commitment to the WHEP, Jim helps organize the yearly Alabama and National Contests, often sacrificing his free time and working nights and weekends.  In particular, Jim travels across the state to promote the program, recruit youth participants, and train County Agents and students.  There is no question that he has had a direct impact on the six National Championships and six Runner-up finishes by Alabama Teams, and the 10 students who have gone on to pursue careers in forestry and wildlife.

For his dedication and commitment to wildlife conservation and education in Alabama, we present the 2008 Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, Dr. James B. Armstrong.

Lamar and Felicia Dewberry own and manage a beautiful 740 acre multiple use tree farm in rural Clay County. From protecting streams, preventing erosion, planting stands of longleaf and loblolly pines, maintaining hardwood bottoms, and providing wildlife habitat, the Dewberry’s are constantly employing “Best Management Practices” on their land.

As members of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association, it is obvious they take to heart the Association’s purpose, “Taking the land God loaned us and making Him proud he did.” On a regular basis Lamar uses their land to teach people of all ages the importance of managing God’s natural resources.

Since education is an important part of the Dewberry’s operation, each October they host local fifth grade students for “Classroom in the Forest.”  Working with the Clay County Forestry Planning Committee, they take students out of the classroom and into the forest on their property. Students learn about conservation practices to protect our natural resources and how to appreciate the forest, forest management, and the wildlife live in these habitats. They learn as well about the care and management that takes place on a property that bares the signs “Tree Farm” and “TREASURE Forest.”

Local tours, including the North Alabama Tree Farm Tour, have also been held on the Dewberry property. During these tours, people are able to see first-hand the implementation of conservation practices such as stream crossings, erosion prevention, prescribed burning, and pine and hardwood management for timber and wildlife.

In recognition of their commitment to forest conservation, we present the 2008 Forest Conservationist of the Year, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Dewberry.

Formed in 1942, the Florala Utilities Board is composed of volunteer members who recognize that one of their most important responsibilities is to be vigilant regarding activities which could result in negative impacts on water quality. Over the years, the Board has distinguished itself by making concerted water conservation efforts and has successfully established a history of exemplary accomplishments in the field of water and environmental protection.

Lake Jackson is an important water resource in the Florala area.  With the help and leadership of the Florala Utilities Board, the Florala Wetlands and Educational Park was developed at Lake Jackson in 2000.  This facility provides the opportunity to teach students and local citizens about the importance of local wetlands and water resources and the need to practice personal responsibility to protect water quality.

In 2008, the Florala Utilities Board added a new restroom facility to the Florala Wetlands and Educational Park.  The unique aspect of the facility was the use of cutting-edge waste management technology called the “Eloo” system.  Through the use of the Eloo system, for the first time in Alabama, the new restroom facility incorporated water and chemical free techniques that result in zero discharge.

The Florala Utilities Board has also passed resolutions to abandon the use of septic systems, has invested significant capital in the expansion of their sanitary sewer systems, and have employed rigorous monitoring and testing procedures to ensure early detection and correction of any inconsistencies that could result in leaks from the system.

Educating the citizens of Florala about water quality is very important to the Florala Utilities Board. Participating in a project conducted by the Center of Environmental Research and Service at Troy University, water quality trend data from Lake Jackson was utilized to educate their citizens that ‘all environmental protection is local” and that all Florala citizens play a vital role in the long-term health of Lake Jackson.

For their exemplary efforts on behalf of Alabama’s water resources in the city of Florala, we present the 2008 Water Conservationist of the Year, Florala Utilities Board.

General Electric’s (GE) Dothan Motor Plant, which manufactures one to 500 horsepower electric motors, has been in operation since 1975.  Management at the facility has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous improvement and environmental excellence.

As part of this pursuit of excellence, GE Dothan initiated a “Treasure Hunt” program in 2006.  The objective of this program was to identify energy kaizens that would reduce cost, drive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and improve operations at the facility.  A kaizen is a short, intensive effort designed to produce measurable improvement in a targeted area.  Through the Treasure Hunt, 31 energy kaizens were identified.

In 2007, eleven of these energy kaizens were implemented and provided a total decrease in electricity usage of 1.9 million kilowatt hours.   As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by 2,345 metric tons which is equivalent to eliminating 269 cars, and preserving 10.3 acres of forest.

In recognition of their exemplary commitment and efforts on behalf of Alabama’s air quality, we present the 2008 Air Conservationist of the Year, General Electric – Dothan Motor Plant.

Dee River Ranch is a family owned and operated multi-commodity farming operation located in Pickens County. Daily operations of the farm are controlled by Mike and Annie Dee, a brother/sister management team who have gone the extra mile to ensure that their farming operation is not only profitable, but also environmentally sound. The philosophy of the Dee River Ranch operation is to ensure that all land is used in a manner for which it is best suited.

Mike and Annie are always looking for more efficient ways to improve their farming operation. Their ranch consists of 10,000 acres made of up cropland, pastureland, and over 4,000 acres devoted to overall conservation programs.  Working with a variety of organizations to assist in their total conservation effort, the Dee’s have fully utilized the services and expertise of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Pickens County Soil and Water Conservation District.  As a result, they have incorporated conservation practices into their farming operation that have enhanced the productivity of the farm, reduced soil erosion, improved soil moisture retention, and provided wildlife habitat.  Conservation practices are never overlooked and even when fertilizer and chemicals applications are applied, they are managed to make sure these practices are performed with great care for the environment.

As conscientious stewards of the land, Mike and Annie Dee are active in a variety of organizations, community activities, and also share their story by opening their operation to tours, producers and students.  As recognized industry leaders, the impact of the Dee family on environmental stewardship in Alabama is remarkable.                

In recognition of their efforts to promote and practice soil conservation at the local and state levels, we present the 2008 Soil Conservationist of the Year, Mike and Annie Dee.

The Coosa County Forestry Planning Committee (CCFPC) is a diverse group of agency and private sector individuals passionate about natural resource conservation.  Composed of natural resource agency personnel, private natural resource consultants, and private landowners, this group aggressively pursues their mission of educating the citizens of Coosa County about proper natural resource management.

As a result of their cooperative work and longstanding get-it-done attitude and approach to promoting multiple-use management through the TREASURE Forest Program, Coosa County is home to the largest number of Certified TREASURE Forests in the state.  To date, 105 landowners with lands totaling more than 32,000 acres have earned the status of Certified TREASURE Forest thanks to the help and support of the CCFPC.

In addition to promoting proper resource management through the TREASURE Forest Program, the CCFPC is active in a variety of other initiatives that support their missions.  These activities include general public education, school group education, development and distribution of multiple-use planning guides for landowners, providing resource materials to public and school libraries, and many more.

Of particular significance is their role in the training and support of the Coosa County’s 4-H Forestry and Wildlife Judging Teams. The efforts of CCFPC members had a direct impact on the recent Forestry and Wildlife Judging national championships brought home by the Coosa County 4-H teams in 2006 and 2007.  The CCFPC has already seen the benefits of that support, as several former students are now working as resource professionals in the county and across the state.

In recognition of their commitment to conservation in Coosa County, we present the 2008 Conservation Organization of the Year, Coosa County Forestry Planning Committee.

Judge Jerry Batts has served in the District Court in Limestone County for the past four years. A hunter, fisherman, and farmer himself, Judge Batts enjoys Alabama’s natural beauty and wildlife abundance and has been an outstanding advocate for legal and ethical hunting and angling.

Although Judge Batts has one of the highest case loads in the state, he still finds time to ride with Limestone County Officers in order to get first hand knowledge of the Conservation Law Enforcement profession. He believes that taking time to patrol with officers and observing violations of our game and fish laws and regulations has given him a better perspective when rendering court decisions. He has made it clear to wildlife violators that appear before him that natural resource protection and conservation is of great importance and vital to maintaining our hunting and fishing traditions. Judge Batts has continually shown his support through judicial action which has resulted in a conviction rate approaching one hundred percent. He believes in family values and preserving the outdoors so that they can be appreciated and enjoyed by not only today’s generation but tomorrow’s generations as well. He explains to violators of all ages the importance of fair chase and the legal and ethical standards for hunting and angling.

Judge Batts’ court decisions are based on the protection and enhancement of our natural resources. Recently, he convicted a person for illegally transporting foxes into our state from Wisconsin. The person was ordered to pay fines and court cost totaling $2,500.00. If not for his ruling, our native wildlife and humans could have been exposed to deadly diseases.

In addition to serving as District Court Judge, Judge Batts also has been active in civic and community organizations. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Alabama Special Camp for Adults and Children, past chairman of the Dean’s Council for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, past President of the Athens Rotary Club and the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.

In appreciation of his commitment to conservation from the bench, we present the 2008 Judicial Conservationist of the Year, Judge Jerry Batts.

The Game and Fish Fines Update Bill that was backed by AWF and a host of other landowner and wildlife conservation groups passed in the 2008 Legislature Session and was signed into law by Governor Bob Riley on May 16, 2008.  This event marked a bad day for poachers and trespassers and a great day for landowners, hunters and hunting clubs, wildlife conservationists, and conservation law enforcement.

Numerous legislators supported this critical piece of conservation legislation but three in particular provided the exceptional leadership necessary to ensure the bills passage.  HB677 passed in the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee thanks to the efforts of Representative Thomas Jackson. The bill was soon thereafter placed on the Special Order Calendar in the House and was scheduled for a floor vote on April 15.  On that day, due to uncontrollable circumstances, freshman Representative James Fields stepped to the plate on a moments notice, handled the bill on the House Floor, and secured its passage.  From there the bill headed to the Senate.

With the days winding down in the session, steps were taken to schedule an early morning Committee meeting on April 24 to ensure that HB677 would be in position with enough time remaining in the session to vie for a spot on the Senate Special Order Calendar. Representative Thomas Jackson and Representative James Fields were both on hand to assist with the bill during the Senate Committee meeting.  With the final days of the 2008 Legislative Session coming to a close, steps were immediately taken to encourage the Senate Rules Committee to place HB677 on the Senate Special Order Calendar so it could come up for a vote on the Senate Floor.  With three legislative days remaining, HB677 was placed on the Special Order Calendar and Senator Ted Little stepped to the podium and secured passage on the Senate Floor. Thirty minutes later, Representative Thomas Jackson secured the necessary final concurrence from the House that would allow the bill to be sent to the Governor for signing into law. 

Thanks to the leadership of these three legislators, landowners and hunters will now have a much better chance to enjoy their properties and hunting clubs with less fear for the safety of their family and friends, and with less concern about abuse of the game and fish that call their properties home.  At the same time, when violations do occur, law enforcement officers and judges now have fine structures that will provide more substantial punishment for poachers and trespassers.

In recognition of their efforts on behalf of the wildlife and natural resources of our state, we present the 2008 Legislative Conservationist of the Year, Representative Thomas Jackson, Representative James Fields and Senator Ted Little.

Wildlife Trends is a bi-monthly, national publication based in Auburn, AL. Since its inception as a newsletter in 2001, Wildlife Trends has grown to a full-color magazine that provides its readers with sound, useful, and innovative information that is written in layman’s terms and easy for landowners to understand. Each issue contains an array of wildlife and property management information geared towards landowners and land managers who are trying to optimize their properties. The design of the publication makes it valuable for current information and as a resource guide for future use.

Perhaps one of the most valuable assets of Wildlife Trends is the in-depth coverage it gives to a wide range of vital subjects to the land steward. From small impoundment fisheries management to feral hog control to the latest deer management facts, the reader has a vast library of usable information that is presented in an interesting to read style, yet providing the necessary technical detail.

To top off this well-rounded and practical wildlife management publication, Wildlife Trends also hosts an annual field day in order to provide opportunities to see various properties and management strategies and meet other landowners, managers, and Wildlife Trends authors. Thus, not only do subscribers get a publication that is full of practical and useful information that will help them better manage their lands, but they get to meet the authors and ask questions in person.

For the publication's professionalism and dedication to our conservation heritage through word and deed, we present the 2008 Conservation Communicator of the Year, Wildlife Trends.

For the past 13 years, Margaret Sedlecky has served as the Education Coordinator at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Baldwin County. In that time, Mrs. Sedlecky has implemented numerous programs that convey to her students the importance of wise management and protection of the delicate habitats found along the Gulf Coast.  Through these efforts she has distinguished herself as an outstanding leader in her field.

Mrs. Sedlecky uses the Reserve as an outdoor classroom and laboratory to teach thousands of students and adults the importance of coastal habitats and the role they play in sustaining native wildlife.

After the active 2004-2005 hurricane seasons the coastal habitats of Alabama were extensively damaged. However, Mrs. Sedlecky envisioned a way for high school students, teachers, and the community to join together with conservation organizations to take on the enormous task of restoring the dune systems, salt marshes, and submerged grass beds of the area. In early 2005, she called together three teachers and several conservation organizations to discuss the restoration effort and the Baldwin County Grasses in Classes Program (BCGIC) was born.

As the BCGIC Program Coordinator, she has applied for and received over $70,000 in grant funds to build native plant nurseries at all seven public high schools in the County. To date, over 21,000 native plants have been planted at sites along Alabama’s coastal habitats thanks to Mrs. Sedlecky’s foresight, planning and drive.

For her untiring efforts for conservation education in our state, we present the 2008 Conservation Educator of the Year, Ms. Margaret Sedlecky.

Sergeant Eddie Stripling is a 22-year veteran of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Section of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Because of his untiring efforts, Sgt. Stripling has earned the full respect of his colleagues, supervisors, the Lamar County court system, and the courts in the surrounding areas.

In addition to his enforcement responsibilities, he also serves as Field Supervisor, District Training Officer, and as a Certified Hunter Safety Instructor with more than 500 students trained during his tenure.  He has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Department and is known as a mentor, a promoter of hunting and angling traditions, and a dedicated public servant.

One example of his dedication occurred last hunting season when he organized and supervised a special work detail in Fayette County, code named “Operation Bluetic,” involving officers with the Department of Conservation, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Agriculture. This detail resulted in 28 arrests for illegal hunting activities and the assessment of substantial fines and court costs on the outlaws apprehended.  During his career, Sgt. Stripling has made 2,500 arrests related to game and fish violations.

Sgt. Stripling takes great pride in fostering knowledge and respect for our game, fish, and other outdoor resources both on and off duty.  One way he does this on his off time is by hosting his own outdoor television show called God’s Great Outdoors.

In recognition of his service and dedication to conservation law enforcement, we present the 2008 Conservation Enforcement Officer of the Year, Sergeant Eddie Stripling.

Terry Love has been actively involved in hunter safety instruction for over 20 years. He is an avid outdoorsman with a strong desire for learning and teaching, as well as introducing new people – especially our youth – to the outdoors.
               
Alabama has one of the best hunter safety records in the Southeast, and Terry’s leadership is partly responsible for that accomplishment. He has been actively involved in Hunter Safety Education in Alabama since 1999.

Several years ago, Terry suffered a terrible injury after falling off a ledge in Tennessee. With a broken neck, alone in the woods and drifting in and out of consciousness, Terry relied on his survival skills acquired through his many years of teaching Hunter Safety courses to save his own life. Despite this huge setback, he used the incident to help him stress the safety and survival skills portion of Hunter Safety. This personal experience and his willingness to share it has been a value-added aspect of the Lee County courses.

Terry is described as one of the most dedicated volunteers in the state, never refusing to take on whatever is asked of him and often using his own money to pay for training and materials.  Giving of his time and wisdom, Terry has helped with the National Archery in the Schools Program, the Alabama Rifle Program, Youth Days at Coach Pat Dye’s Plantation, and with almost every hunter safety class in Lee County.  Terry is also a volunteer instructor for the Master Wildlife Program and a volunteer guide for the Christian Outdoor Fellowship Hunt.

For his outstanding commitment to Hunter Safety Education we present the 2008 Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year, Mr. Terry R. Love.