NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS FOUNDATION HONORS BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES FOR SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The U.

S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management issued the following press release:

Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey today honored two BLM employees today at a Washington, D.

C., reception held by the Public Lands Foundation, which presented national awards to the recipients for their dedication and professionalism in public lands management.

Tom Gow, Field Manager for the Rio Puerco, NM, District Office,was the Foundation's Outstanding Public Lands Professional Manager for 2010. The award recognizes Tom for leveraging more than $9 million in contributed funding, and over $7 million in BLM funds, that were used for the construction of wildlife habitat improvement projects, watershed restoration projects, and projects that accomplish BLM mission objectives and directly improve the quality of life for rural communities. Tom has also provided outstanding leadership to the Rio Puerco Management Committee, a grassroots citizens based advocacy group authorized by Congress to facilitate the restoration of the Rio Puerco Watershed. This effort includes the maintenance of 650 large dams and erosion control structures built in the 1960's and 1970's.

The Public Lands Foundation also honored Renee Dana, Coordinator of the BLM Wyoming Land Conservation Initiative, as its Outstanding Public Lands Professional Technician for 2010. The award acknowledges Renee for being instrumental in securing nearly $1 million of private funding, and for being pivotal in obtaining financial supporting partners with federal, state, local agencies and organizations. These funds underwrite on-the-ground, real-time projects that positively impact Greater Sage-grouse populations. Renee leverages science, data, and local and regional knowledge to implement efforts to maintain and increase the viability of the Greater Sage-grouse species for future generations.

BLM Director Bob Abbey said, "These BLM employees represent the best in public service. I salute them for their commitment to the effective stewardship of America's public lands."

Public Lands Foundation President Henri Bisson described the national awards, now in their 22nd year, as recognition for actions by professional public land technicians and managers that "constitute special professional achievement, courage, and not simply good performance."

The two awardees' achievements will be permanently inscribed on the "Hall of Fame Award" plaque at the BLM headquarters in Washington, D.

C.

"This is another example of professional career employees' willingness to chart a new direction in protecting and enhancing natural resources," Bisson said. "We think of these as 'Hall of Fame' recognition for actions by professional public land managers that constitute special professional achievement, courage and not simply good performance."

The Public Lands Foundation is the only national membership organization dedicated solely to the protection and perpetuation of the National System of Public Lands under the administration of the BLM. It is a national nonprofit conservation organization whose members are primarily retired and active BLM employees. The full text and photos today's events and other information on all Foundation programs and concepts can be found on the Internet at www.publicland.org.

The BLM manages more land - more than 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Matt Spangler, 202/912-7414.