02/21/2009
Michigan DNR Biologist Awarded High Honor
 Al Stewart, the upland game bird specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), was honored with the Henry S. Mosby Award at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show. Click image for print quality version |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bath, Mich., resident Al Stewart, the upland game bird specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), was honored with the prestigious Henry S. Mosby Award at the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Mosby Award is named for Dr. Henry Mosby, whose research with wild turkeys in the mid 1900s set the standard for their management. He also helped found The Wildlife Society and was the winner of its highest honor -- the Aldo Leopold Medal.
For more than 30 years Stewart dedicated his career to conservation. Stewart was instrumental in enhancing the Michigan's popular wild turkey cooperator patch program. The wild turkey cooperator patch program was initiated in 1988 as a voluntary incentive for hunters in exchange for cooperator patch by mailing feathers to wildlife biologists. Michigan students in grades K-12 created each year's patch design through a contest. Stewart also championed the causes of the disabled and made it easier for everyone to access the great outdoors.
In 1992, President George H. Bush and Congressman Dave Camp gave Stewart the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award for his work on a barrier-free viewing and hunting platform at the Maple River State Game Area. In 1998, the NWTF Michigan State chapter awarded him the Outstanding Conservationist Award. In 2000, the Arizona Fish and Game Department selected Stewart to assist with the Gould's wild turkey restoration in Arizona. In 2005, he served as coordinator of the 9th Annual NWTF Wild Turkey Symposium.
"Al Stewart has shown unequaled dedication to conservation and wild turkeys throughout his career," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF's chief conservation officer. "His work through the wild turkey cooperator patch program has brought the great story of wild turkey conservation to the children and hunters of Michigan."
Stewart and his wife, Patricia, who serves as the MDNR's chief communications officer, are the parents of two sons, Chris and Tom.
Since 1985 NWTF's volunteers in cooperation with the MDNR have spent nearly $2.9 million on habitat enhancements, wild turkey research, law enforcement and outreach programs. NWTF's efforts include spending more than $1.5 million on habitat improvement projects for maintaining and developing brood habitat and wildlife openings, conducting prescribed fires, planting trees, restoring riparian area, completing water development projects, controlling invasive plant species and supporting seed subsidy and conservation seed programs -- improving habitat for more than 57,886 acres within the state.
