[ODFW-News] Access and Habitat Program chair lauded by Fish and Wildlife Commission

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005

Access and Habitat Program chair lauded by Fish and Wildlife Commission
 
SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today honored Medford
resident Chuck Smith for eight years of service as chairman of the
Access and Habitat Board. 
 
Smith received a certificate of appreciation, recognizing his
contribution to Oregon hunters and wildlife, during the Commission's
regular monthly meeting in Salem. He leaves the post at the end of this
year, concluding two four-year terms -- the maximum allowed by law. 
 
The Access and Habitat Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in
1993 and is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses. Funds raised
by the program are distributed through grants to individual and
corporate landowners, conservation organizations and others for
cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects
throughout the state.
 
Under Smith's leadership, the A&H Program provided over $5 million for
169 projects throughout Oregon. These projects helped keep more than
three million acres of private lands open to public hunting access each
year and created or improved more than 600,000 acres of wildlife
habitat.
 
"The Access and Habitat program has a motto - 'Hunters and landowners
together for wildlife,'" said Program Coordinator Nick Myatt. "Chuck
Smith's lifelong commitment to Oregon wildlife and his unwavering
dedication to the A&H program for the past eight years have been
instrumental in meeting the challenge of that motto."
 
Smith, vice-president of Western Operations for Timber Products Company
of Medford, is an avid hunter and outdoorsman and a long-time ODFW
volunteer. He served on the A&H Program's Southwest Regional Advisory
Council from 1994 to 1997 and on ODFW's Strategic Planning Process and
the Westside Bull Elk Strategies Working Group. Smith intends to
continue his involvement in hunting and wildlife issues.
 
"When working with the Board to review projects, Chuck always worked to
ensure that A&H funds were used responsibly and to the greatest benefit
of the Oregon hunters who fund the program," Myatt said. 
 
The Fish and Wildlife Commission appointed Eugene resident, Tally Patton
to serve as Board Chair effective Jan. 1, 2006. 
 
"Tally brings extensive experience and tremendous enthusiasm to her new
role, and I am confident she will excel in this challenging position."
 
For information about the A&H Program call program coordinator Nick
Myatt, 503-947-6087 or visit the Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/AH/.
 
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