Partnering on conservation issues and initiatives delivers strong outcomes for the future of waterfowling
During the third annual Duck Hunters Expo in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Duck Hunters Organization recognized members of the conservation and waterfowl community for their clear commitment to protecting the future of waterfowling. These advocates have played an integral role in protecting critical rights, opportunities, and access for waterfowl hunters.
“Delta Waterfowl is proud to honor and recognize each of our award winners this year,” said Cyrus Baird, senior director of government affairs for Delta Waterfowl. “From elected officials and appointed commissioners to our partners in conservation, we are thankful to have such great relationships with individuals across North America who have been able to produce meaningful results on behalf of ducks and duck hunters.”
The following awards have been presented to key advocates of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting:
The Delta Waterfowl Conservation Leader Award is a conservation policy award that is presented to an individual, organization, company or agency whose work has shown a clear commitment to Delta’s mission to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting.
Delta Waterfowl Conservation Leader Award Recipient:
Taylor Schmitz (Director, Federal Relations for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation)
In his role at CSF, Schmitz works with the Presidential Administration and Members of Congress through the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to advance federal policies of importance to today’s hunters. Schmitz is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club and currently serves as the Chairman of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, the nation’s leading coalition of like-minded sporting-conservation organizations that work to address the most pressing issues facing sportsmen and women.
The Delta Waterfowl Waterfowling Legacy Award is presented to individuals whose work has shown a clear commitment to advocating for endless opportunities for waterfowl hunters and ensuring that the future of waterfowl hunting remains strong.
Delta Waterfowl Waterfowling Legacy Award Recipients:
Hon. Steven Myers (Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Delta Waterfowl staff met and discussed seven-day hunting with Minister Myers regularly once he was appointed Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, PEI. In March 2024, Bill 58—An Act to Amend the Wildlife Conservation Act—was introduced. This bill removed the clause that prohibited Sunday hunting. In April 2024, the Sunday hunting ban on Prince Edward Island was removed, doubling opportunity for weekend waterfowlers on the Island.
Kate MacQuarrie (Director of Forests, Fish and Wildlife, PEI)
Kate MacQuarrie is the Director of Forests, Fish and Wildlife for the provincial government of Prince Edward Island. She is an experienced outdoorswoman whose continued efforts have helped pave the way for initiatives such as free hunting licenses and free hunter safety courses for all young and first-time hunters in PEI. Her advocacy extends to firearm owners/users and, most recently, her efforts helped Delta Waterfowl remove the prohibition to hunt on Sundays in PEI and increase hunting opportunity for waterfowlers.
John Clements (Senior Regional Director – Canadian Team, Delta Waterfowl)
John Clements began working for Delta Waterfowl in 2017 after a conservation-based career that included serving as chief conservation officer for the province of Ontario and 17 years as a conservation officer for PEI, including six years as chief. His passion to introduce new hunters to the world of waterfowl hunting is unparalleled, and his commitment to Delta’s mission and vision, coupled with his vast professional work experience, connections, and his relentless pursuit of securing seven-day hunting in PEI, is the single most reason Islanders will get to experience Sunday hunting this fall.
Hon. Mike Holland (Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development, New Brunswick, Canada)
Reappointed as the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development following the 2020 election, Mike Holland has been an avid outdoorsperson his entire life. Under Minister Holland’s leadership, the provincial government amended the Fish and Wildlife Act to extend Sunday hunting to include every Sunday between the weekend following Canadian Thanksgiving in early October until Dec. 31., increasing hunting opportunity for waterfowlers in the province.
Bruce Pollard (Wildlife Biologist, Population Management at Environment Canada (Retired), Atlantic Region)
While working with the Canadian Wildlife Service in New Brunswick, Pollard helped enable an expansion to the full season length for the three Maritime provinces to increase hunting opportunity. Pollard worked closely with Delta volunteers and staff, as well as representatives of the provincial government. His advocacy and dedication increased hunting opportunity in the area and, beginning in fall 2024, hunters from PEI and New Brunswick will be able to hunt an extra two weeks, while Nova Scotians will be allowed one extra week.
Hon. Minister Elvis Loveless (Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
In honor of the late Minister Derrick Bragg, Delta presents this award to the Hon. Minister Elvis Loveless. Hon. Minister Bragg served as Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture from 2021 to mid-2023 before he passed away in January at the young age of 59. While Minister, his government removed all Sunday hunting restrictions in the fall of 2022. The Hon. Elvis Loveless was appointed as Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture in June of 2023 and, thanks to their government, duck hunters have expanded access to opportunity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Delta Waterfowl Partners in Conservation Award is presented to an organization whose work in the conservation arena has been collaborative with Delta Waterfowl to strive towards benefiting waterfowl, waterfowl habitat, and waterfowl hunters.
Delta Waterfowl Partners in Conservation Award Recipients:
Bruce Ross (Wisconsin Waterfowl Association)
Bruce Ross is the executive director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association—a state-based 501(c)3 organization focused on restoring wetland habitat important to waterfowl production and migration, promoting policies important to state waterfowlers, and encouraging new hunters to become passionate conservationists. Notable results include launching the Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunters EXPO, creating a wetlands restoration program on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 1.6 million acres of public lands, reestablishing wild rice beds in northern Wisconsin, and establishing the Waterfowlers Academy to expand and advance the waterfowling community.
Mark Hennelly (California Waterfowl Association)
Mark Hennelly is vice president of advocacy for the California Waterfowl Association. He is a registered lobbyist and works primarily on legislative and regulatory issues that impact waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting, including work before the State Legislature and California Fish and Game Commission. He has sponsored and helped pass several state laws and regulations affecting gamebird seasons and bag limits, water supplies for refuges and wildlife areas, hunting opportunity on private lands, and the use of hunter-generated funds for game conservation purposes, among other roles.
The Frederic C. Walcott Conservationist of the Year Award is presented to individuals who, through their role in a volunteer capacity working as a commissioner or board member of a state fish and wildlife agency, have helped improve the landscape for ducks and duck hunters for generations to come.
Frederic C. Walcott Conservationist of the Year Award Recipients:
Kevin Sagrera (Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission)
Kevin Sagrera and his family are staunch conservationists and longtime supporters of Delta Waterfowl and the State of Louisiana. Sagrera, now a commissioner for LDWF, followed after his father, who also served as a commissioner. Both were founding members of the Vermilion Chapter of Delta Waterfowl—one of the most successful chapters in the organization—in Abbeville, Louisiana, in the early 2000s. Conservationists like Kevin Sagrera are needed in Louisiana and across the country to encourage our sport to thrive for future generations to enjoy.
Linda Parkowski (Vice-Chair, Delaware Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish)
Linda Parkowski is the vice chair of the Delaware Advisory Council of Wildlife and Freshwater Fish and is an outstanding advocate for sportsmen and women. Notably, Parkowski and two other advisory council members spearheaded the effort to change the Delaware law that prohibited the hunting of gamebirds on Sundays. With Parkowski’s efforts, in May of 2024, Delaware’s Sunday Gamebird bill was signed by the Governor, resulting in increased hunting opportunity to seven days a week for Delaware bird hunters.
For more information, contact Cyrus Baird at (703) 254-6737 or [email protected]. —Christy Sweigart
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