Dr. Thea Wilkins will join the Plant and Soil Science Department in January 2006 as the Bayer CropScience - Regents Professor of Plant Genomics. This distinguished scientist will complement Texas Tech University existing genetics faculty and help us create an internationally recognized Center in Cotton Genomics.
Arizona Game and Fish Department NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Oct. 12, 2005 Arizona Game and Fish conservation professional wins international award PHOENIX - Josh Avey, who spearheaded the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s nationally recognized Landowner Relations Program the past three years, has received the Mark J. Reeff Memorial Award for his cooperative work with landowners on access and wildlife conservation issues. Avey was presented the award at last month’s annual meeting of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Nashville, Tenn. The award is given annually to a young professional (under 35 years of age) with a wildlife management agency, who exhibits outstanding initiative and service in the conservation of wildlife resources. "To be recognized by my peers internationally is the most flattering honor of my career," says Avey. "It speaks volumes about our agency, that young professionals are given the opportunity to participate in and enhance cutting-edge programs." Avey was acknowledged for his work in developing new initiatives for the Landowner Relations Program, which was originally called the Heritage Access Program. Land access issues are a significant focus of the program, as there are many situations in Arizona where access to public land is through privately owned land, and the landowner may decide to close that access. The reasons for the closures are varied, and solutions require mutual understanding, communication and cooperation. "Josh has worked tirelessly to build positive relationships with landowners and sportsmen’s groups, and he has developed creative solutions that have kept access open to hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands," says Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe. Avey brought several different initiatives under the umbrella of the Landowner Relations Program, and recruited a team to focus on educating the public on land ethics, recruiting new landowners into the program, and developing new and creative ways to fund projects on private lands. "We recognized that cooperative work on projects that mutually benefit landowners and wildlife could enable the program to capture more matching funds," says Avey. "Leveraging those partnerships has increased our funding by more than 200 percent in private land projects alone, allowing us to put more resources toward wildlife conservation." Among its many accomplishments, the Landowner Relations Program has successfully completed 64 stewardship agreements with ranches across the state, which has positively impacted wildlife habitat or recreational access on more than two million acres of land. The program also successfully implemented the department’s first-ever conservation easements, and oversees the department’s Adopt-A-Ranch Program, where volunteer groups work with landowners on projects such as cleanups and improvements that can benefit both the landowner and wildlife. Avey joined the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 2001 as the access coordinator in the Tucson regional office. After a year, he was promoted to help guide the vision of the statewide Heritage Access Program, which evolved into the current Landowner Relations Program. He recently became the department’s ombudsman in the director’s office. Avey earned his Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology from the University of Arizona in 1998, and his Master of Science in wildlife biology from Texas Tech University in 2000. Prior to that, he was a professional cyclist who competed against the likes of Lance Armstrong and other world-class competitors. Note to media: Josh Avey can be reached for comment at (602) 789-3281. -0- The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
