iSANTA BARBARA – The California Fish
and Game Commission has officially recognized the newly formed
California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame (WHF). A resolution recognizing WHF
was presented at today's Commission meeting along with the Hall's first
class of inductees. The WHF was recently established to recognize those
individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing the
waterfowl resource in California. A small group of interested
waterfowlers was instrumental in establishing WHF. It is intended that
major contributions and achievements, both past and present, be duly
recognized.Michael Flores, president of the Fish and Game Commission,
released the following statement:
“It is a honor for the Commission to formally recognize the
professionals, legislators, sportsmen, agriculturists and other
conservationists who have sacrificed in the past, and those who will
contribute in the future to California’s waterfowl resource.”
Categories for the WHF inductees include: biologists,
academics/professors, federal/state administrators, legislators,
sportsmen, and agriculturalists.
The first class of inductees include: Bert McKee (1904-1991) who
served as president of Ducks Unlimited and who dedicated 54 years to
waterfowl conservation. Bill Ready (1938-2001) who served as president
of the California Waterfowl Association and who dedicated 35 years of
his life to the waterfowl resource. Robert “Bob” Eberhardt (1927-1994)
who served as president of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Dennis Raveling
(1939-1991) who inspired a commitment to waterfowl in many of today’s
leaders in the field while serving as professor of wildlife,
specializing in ecology at the University of California at Davis. Harvey
Sorensen (1899-1979) who was a co-founder and past president of Ducks
Unlimited. And Warren C. Bud Rienecker (1927-1991) who served as a
Waterfowl Biologist, with the California Department of Fish and Game for
over 30 years.
Members of the WHF nominating committee are: G. Ray Arnett, Assistant
Undersecretary of the Interior and retired Director of the California
Department of Fish and Game; Bill Gaines, President, California Outdoor
Heritage Alliance; Bob McLandress, President, California Waterfowl
Association; Fritz Reid, Director of Conservation Planning Ducks
Unlimited; Dan Yparraguirre, Waterfowl Coordinator, California Fish and
Game; Red Hunt, retired Chief of Game Management, California Fish and
Game; Frank Kozlick, retired Waterfowl Coordinator, California
Department of Fish and Game; Ray Lewis, Past President, California
Waterfowl Association; Wendell Miller, retired Habitat Specialist,
California Department of Fish and Game; and Dan Connelly, Executive
Director, Cortopassi Family Foundation.
G. Ray Arnett, member of the WHF nominating committee, released the
following statement:
“This award program is long overdue in recognizing the efforts of so
many great folks of the past. I sincerely hope that this stimulates
others to go the extra mile to help the waterfowl resources of this
great state.”
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