| ||
 |
||
| Klamath County residents receive awards for stream, lake and watershed work | ||
| 10/30/2006 | ||
|
22-06
News media contact: Monte Turner, 503-986-0195Spirit of the Oregon Plan Awards presented Oct. 27 in Seaside: Gerda Hyde, Chiloquin Danette Watson, Klamath Falls Gerda Hyde, Chiloquin, and Danette Watson, Klamath Falls, were among 11 recipients from throughout Oregon honored for their work to protect and improve streams, lakes and watersheds at a luncheon in Seaside. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board presented the Spirit of the Oregon Plan Awards during the state agency’s biennial conference. “We are pleased to recognize the exemplary work and leadership of these dedicated people,” said Tom Byler, OWEB executive director. GERDA HYDE Gerda Hyde, Chiloquin, has been a Klamath Watershed Council member for the past six years. “The Hydes have long been trendsetters for conservation in the Upper Klamath Basin,” said Rick Craiger, OWEB program representative who nominated Hyde for the award. For the past 20 years, the Hyde Ranch has worked with Allan Savory, a noted authority on natural resource management, in learning about grazing management and then educating others, Craiger said. The Hydes have initiated projects and inspired others to protect willows along stream banks to provide fish habitat and reduce thermal impacts to rivers. “Many groups and individuals benefit from Gerda’s efforts to involve as many people as possible in projects and education,” Craiger said. Participants in activities include young people from Portland, Chiloquin High School students and college students and ranchers from across the United States. “Gerda makes sure everyone working on a local project has a wonderful lunch, which she provides with a smile,” Craiger added. DANETTE WATSON Watson is the Klamath Watershed Council coordinator from Klamath Falls. “Danette has brought the community together in an unprecedented way,” said Craiger, who also nominated Watson for the award. In less than three years, she has built trust between landowners and the watershed council and between landowners and government agencies engaged in watershed restoration, Craiger said. Two years ago, there was not a functioning watershed group in the Sprague River sub-basin, which is a high priority restoration area. Today, there are monthly meetings sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where the typical attendance is 30 ranchers. This same sub-basin just recently asked if they could start a program to build and install fish screens throughout the basin, Craiger reported. “The future of conservation and agriculture in the Klamath Basin looks much brighter due to Danette’s efforts to bring folks together,” Craiger said. OWEB projects support the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds that emphasizes private, voluntary actions to restore wild salmon populations. OWEB is a state agency led by a policy oversight board. The agency provides grants and services to citizen groups, organizations and agencies working to restore healthy watersheds in Oregon. Funding comes from the Oregon Lottery as a result of a citizen initiative in 1998, sales of salmon license plates, federal salmon funds and other sources.  Danette Watson, second from right, receives a Spirit of the Oregon Plan Award from OWEB Board co-chair Dan Heagerty, right. Also pictured, from left: Tom Byler, OWEB executive director, and Jane O'Keeffe, OWEB Board co-chair.
## OWEB ##
|
||
