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| Conservation
Issues |
Rick Harris Wins Conservation Award
[March 20, 2004 - by Jim Matuga]
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| Rick Harris Wins Conservation Award |
West Virginia BASS Federation member Rick Harris was presented the Conservation Member of the Year award at the
WVBF 2004 Annual Banquet March 13, 2004. Harris was surprised with the award and had little comment at the award
presentation. He did however, provide the following statements on Sunday:
"I am greatly honored to have received the Conservation Member of the Year award," said Harris. "
I would like to think the West Virginia Bass Federation and the WV DNR in allowing me to take part in the Reservoir
Vegetation Establishment Project. After reading Jim Summer's article in 2002 about the project I wondered how I
(a biology graduate from Glenville State College in 1989 and an employee of Nisource, the parent company of Columbia
Gas Transmission) could get involved in this project, which has great potential. I work in the Natural Resource
Permitting department (environmental) at Columbia Gas and to make a story short, I decided that maybe we could
help fund this project, which we have in part".
"I appreciate everything that our Conservation Director, Jim Summers has accomplished, with the vegetative
projects, docks and legislation. I also feel that our state fisheries biologists are doing a great job, being able
to catch fish now is only part of it, assuring that there will be fishing opportunities for future generations
is what they are all about and they are doing a great job. Not only have I been involved with the WV Bass Federation
I have also had my company make donations to the West Virginia Chapter of Muskies Inc. for musky spawning projects.
I have also established a program in my company to help the WV DNR stock ponds for children's activities such as
fishing derbies in WV."
" I extend the challenge to all Federation members who work for some of the larger corporations: Talk to your
Environmental Departments or Human Resources Departments and see if you can get involved in some of these conservation
projects. Talk to our own Conservation Director, Jim Summers and ask him how to get involved or give him your ideas.
Remember, catching fish today is fine, but knowing our children and grandchildren are going to be able to catch
fish tomorrow is even more rewarding".
Congratulations to Rick Harris on his contributions to the WVBF conservation efforts. It is volunteer action like
this that benefits our membership, our fisheries and the future of our sport. Next time you see Rick on the water
- remember to thank him for his effort. |
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