Foundation
Awarded DNR Habitat Partners Award:
Governor Tim Pawlenty presented the Leech Lake Area Watershed
Foundation with a Habitat Partners award at the dedication of the aquatic management area (AMA) on Shingobee Bay, Leech Lake, during the 2007 Fishing Opener festivities in Walker, Minnesota. The Foundation received the award for its dedication to preserving the natural resources, and their associated recreational benefits, in the Leech Lake Watershed. "Through its decade-long existence, the Foundation has partnered with countless lake associations, individuals, and government units on 28 shoreland conservation projects, which in total have protected more than 77,000 feet of lakeshore in Leech Lake's massive 750,000 acre watershed. This protection of water quality and fish and wildlife habitat benefits citizens throughout the watershed and visitors from around the state and helps to insure the enjoyment of these resources for future generations to come," said Henry Drewes, DNR Region 1 Fisheries Manager in presenting the award.
In the photo, Henry Drewes, DNR Region 1 Fisheries Manager, presents the Habitat Partners Award to Leech Lake Foundation Board members. From left to right: DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten, Foundation Directors Ted Mellby, Tom Buss, Doug Payne, John Kovar, Pat Larson, Bob Gisvold and Governor Tim Pawlenty.
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Summary
of Accomplishments:
28
Completed
land conservation projects
77,563
Feet of shoreline protected
1740
Acres preserved
$11+ million
in estimated value of land conservation projects
completed many of which are DNR, Forest Service or County land base
$190,000
in private foundation funding
$300,000
in funding from the Legislative Commission on
Minnesotas Resources (LCMR)
1st
Shoreland conservation easement in Minnesota (Little Boy
Lake Project)
1st
project involving Trust For Public Land (Clearwater Lake - Crow Wing County)
#1
Largest partnership (22 organizations) to ever team with
the DNR to buy a conservation property (Mule Lake Wildlife Management Area
purchased at $2.7 million)
2
projects with The Conservation Fund (Cedar Springs/Leech Lake
and Sand Lake)
X Thousand
the number of good will phone calls, e-mails, notes, letters, conservations and contacts the project coordinator and volunteers have made since 1992.
1,000+
hours of time donated by Ted Mellby, a retired
attorney and 1st Foundation Chair (1995-2003), valued at an estimated
$1.2 million
200+
Volunteers that have made things happen; in time, expertise, resources and inspiration!
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