Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Award Winners Announced

Frankfort, Kentucky - Three Kentucky businesses recently won Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Awards for 2008 from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for their efforts to help manage wildlife on their property.

"Through sound management of our wildlife resources, these three businesses exemplify the goals of the Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Program," said Ben Robinson, small game biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

More than 200 businesses joined in partnerships with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife since the inception of the Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership in 1997. Each year, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife honors the best business in each wildlife region that exemplifies the goals of the program.

The Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership formed when seven businesses in Daviess and Hancock counties approached the KDFWR regarding habitat projects on their property. A statewide partnership program grew out of these interactions to promote practices by businesses, churches and city governments that positively impact wildlife and the environment.

This year's winners:
Overall State and Southeast Region:
Clint Voils
Voils practices precision agriculture on his 2,400 acre property in Russell County and utilizes multiple Farm Bill programs. He cooperates with the Kentucky Division of Forestry to manage woodlots on his property. Voils also educates local farmers on ways to incorporate wildlife habitat improvements into production farming. His Kentucky Fish and Wildlife private lands biologist is Chris Mason.

Purchase Region:
Tradewater Outfitters:
Russell Edwards of Tradewater Outfitters implemented multiple federal programs to improve wildlife habitat on 3,300 acres in Crittenden and Webster counties. Tradewater Outfitters enrolled 175 acres into the Wetland Reserve Program to improve scarce bottomland hardwood habitat. Edwards participates in Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's Dove Lease Field program. His Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Private Lands biologist is Philip Sharp.

Bluegrass Region:
Kentucky Utilities - Tyrone Power Plant
The Kentucky Utilities Tyrone Power Plant manages 280 acres in Woodford County. The business converted 50 acres of fescue into native warm season grasses and conducted timber stand improvements. Kentucky Utilities allows Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to use the property for educational and other uses. The company's private lands biologist is Joe Lacefield.

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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.


Media Contact:
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext. 4443