US Forest Service Terrestrial Ecologist, Paul Thompson, was recently awarded the Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ (MUCC) Forest & Park Conservationist of the Year award. Thompson was nominated by the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club for his work across both the east and west units of Hiawatha National Forest.
Club chairperson, Gary Gorniak, said, “The Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club extends its appreciation and congratulations to Paul. He has helped us successfully propose habitat projects for National Forest lands, and he brought in other partners to support our mutual efforts.”
Acting Forest Supervisor Shannon Rische expressed her appreciation for the Club’s recognition. “I want to thank Paul, the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club, and other partners for the excellent resource management work they have done together. Thank you to the Club and MUCC for recognizing Paul’s contributions to resource management in the Upper Peninsula.”
The US Forest Service and Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club have partnered for over forty years, completing many habitat projects. For example, Thompson recently helped the partners successfully receive about $205,000 in Michigan DNR Deer Range Improvement Program Grant funds to implement over 100 acres of wildlife openings in the St. Martin’s Deer yard, portions of which had not been managed for 40 years.
The award nomination also acknowledged Paul’s efforts on the Bear Forum and on J.R. Richardson’s Wildlife UP Wildlife Habitat Workgroup. It also noted his work with other partners on a variety of projects that benefit area wildlife and the public, such as a cedar regeneration project with the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Please contact your local Forest Service office (Hiawatha offices) if you have any questions about your National Forest.
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