Conservation Leaders Recognized - The Nature Conservancy presents 2005 Conservation Leadership Awards
 
 
(Note: Robin Green, a developer and Nature Conservancy "conservation leader," Randall Edwards, formerly with the Columbus Dispatch as its "environmental reporter," and others have done much to take control of lands along creeks and rivers. Regula has been instrumental in many such agendas, dating back decades to at least the Cuyahoga Falls land theft. Good, hardworking, honest people -- homeowners and landowners, farmers and shopkeepers -- were shoved aside for a "state park." The "article" below tells what is likely closer to the truth: that the Cuyahoga Falls area was always targeted for federal control, i.e., a "National Park." The Jessica Savich documentary from almost twenty-five years ago, an ABC Frontline special titled, "For the Good of All," clearly showed the tangled and deceitful web that was woven in order to wrest ownership and control of this land and its resources from those who had earned it and who were its rightful owners. Though the below "article" never mentions eminent domain, it was used in Cuyahoga Falls. This "article" does mention, in a bragging sort of way, the pursuit of "conservation easements" in order to fulfill a "conservation" goal. Such things are happening in areas nationwide where the Nature Conservancy has gotten the camel's nose under the tent of property rights. This nose often more closely resembles the muzzle of the Trojan Horse.)
 
 
December 5, 2005
 
 
 
Contact Info: Randall Edwards redwards@tnc.org or 614-717-2770
 
 
Dublin, Ohio - The Nature Conservancy is pleased to award the Ohio Chapter’s annual Conservation Leadership Award for 2005 to U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, a Congressman who has supported public lands conservation in Ohio for more than 40 years.

The award is one of several issued each year by the Conservancy’s Ohio Chapter to recognize individuals and organizations who have contributed to the protection of Ohio’s lands and waters and the plants and animals that depend on them.

Other award winners in 2005 are:
Oak Leaf Award: Jo Ann Barefoot; Ralph Ramey
Public Service Award: State Senators Randy Gardner and Tom Niehaus; Toledo MetroParks
Conservation Colleague Award: Appalachian Ohio Alliance; Highlands Nature Sanctuary; Jack Shaner

“This is well-deserved recognition for very special individuals and organizations who are working with The Nature Conservancy to save the last great places in Ohio and throughout the world,” said Rich Shank, state director of the Conservancy in Ohio. “They inspire us with their example.”

The Conservation Leadership Award is one of the Ohio Chapter’s highest honors, and the selection of Congressman Regula was enthusiastically supported by Conservancy staff, Shank said.

"He has championed the conservation and restoration of the Wayne National Forest and other fine examples of the country's natural heritage,” Shank said. “His leadership is a gift to future generations."

As a state senator, Regula authored legislation creating the Ohio EPA. He also played a key role in the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In more recent years, he has chaired the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, where he worked to ensure that important natural areas were protected -- including the Wayne National Forest.

The Oak Leaf Award, bestowed upon Conservancy supporters for many years of service to the organization, went to Jo Ann Barefoot and Ralph Ramey, both of Westerville, Ohio.

Barefoot has been a member of the Ohio Chapter Board of Trustees for more than three years and is chair of the board’s Conservation Committee. She has been highly engaged ever since joining the board, and played a key role in the writing of the chapter’s 3-year strategic plan. Her expertise as a management consultant has been an invaluable asset to the board, and to the larger organization -- Jo Ann has played a key role in facilitating conversations between chapter trustees and the staff leadership from the 14-state Eastern Region, as the Conservancy moves toward meeting the challenges of the 2015 goal.

Ramey, an Honorary Life Trustee and former chairman of the chapter’s Board of Trustees, has been on the board for more than 30 years. His influence in natural resources extends beyond the Conservancy. He has been employed by both the Franklin County and the Miami County metropolitan park systems ["MetroParks"], was instrumental is the creation of the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (and later became the division chief), and was director for many years of the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs. Many outdoor lovers know Ralph as the author of 50 Hikes in Ohio, 50 More Hikes in Ohio, and Walks and Rambles in Southwestern Ohio.

The Public Service Awards are made to employees and agencies in the public sector who, in the course of their professional work, lend vital support to the preservation of natural land and waters. The 2005 Public Service Awards were presented to:

Ohio State Senators Randy Gardner of Bowling Green and Tom Niehaus of New Richmond. The senators were nominated for their leadership in amending the state budget to maintain Ohio’s wetland and stream protections.

Toledo MetroParks, for its ambitious campaign to protect rare oak savanna habitat in the Oak Openings Region. Over the past two years, the parks agency has used local and state money to purchase more than 900 acres of land within the Oak Openings, a priority conservation area for the Conservancy.

The Conservation Colleague Awards are given each year to individuals or partner organizations that have advanced conservation efforts on the ground. This year’s awards were presented to:

The Appalachia Ohio Alliance, for helping to strengthen and unite local land trusts in Ohio’s Appalachian forest region. Recent projects have included assisting with the purchase of new land for the Waterloo Wildlife Station, and the pursuit of conservation easements in the Hocking Hills.

Highlands Nature Sanctuary, for its ambitious support of an “Arc of Appalachia’ preserve system, which includes The Nature Conservancy’s Edge of Appalachia Preserve. Recent efforts have included protection of Ka-ma-ma Prairie and Rock Run, complementing the Conservancy’s conservation work on our northern and southern boundaries.

Jack Shaner, director of public affairs for the Ohio Environmental Council, for his dogged advocacy on behalf of environmental issues before the Ohio General Assembly. Shaner has been particularly active recently on issues involving wetland protection, and state funding for conservation agencies.

 
 
Copyright 2005, The Nature Conservancy.
 
 
 
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