The Conservation Fund's Rich Erdmann Receives National Land Protection Award from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

October 1, 2008

Contact:
Vanessa Vaughan, The Conservation Fund, 703.908.5809

Arlington, VA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently awarded Rich Erdmann of The Conservation Fund its 2008 National Land Protection Award for his leadership, counsel and accomplishments on land acquisitions at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia.

The award, given by the service’s division of realty, recognizes individuals, groups, organizations, corporations or public agencies for their significant contributions to land protection for fish and wildlife resources.  Erdmann received the award at this year’s Land Trust Alliance Rally in Pittsburgh, the largest annual gathering of land conservation professionals in the country.

“I’m honored to receive this award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which I accept on behalf of not only myself but the entire staff of The Conservation Fund,” said Erdmann.  “Since its creation in 1985 the Fund has worked with the service to protect over 600,000 acres in 67 refuges at a cost of nearly $300 million and fair market value of over $400 million.  This record of effectiveness and efficiency is something of which all of us at the Fund are justifiably proud.”

The Canaan Valley sits at 3,200 feet above sea level, making it the highest valley of its size east of the Rocky Mountains.  High altitude and a cold, humid climate have produced 40 types of ecological communities in this rich and unusually diverse wetland valley.  The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge supports 400 plant and 280 animal species, including the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander and the Appalachian northern flying squirrel.

Under Erdmann’s leadership as executive vice president and general counsel, The Conservation Fund helped establish Canaan Valley as the 500th national wildlife refuge.  Since then, the Fund has protected nearly 14,000 acres of the refuge’s 16,000 total acres.

Erdmann’s sound guidance, cautious optimism and good sense of humor have carried his team to success not only at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge but also across the country.  Integral to the Fund’s founding and with the organization ever since, Erdmann has seen the organization grow to become one of the nation’s leading environmental nonprofits.  Today the Fund has helped its partners protect more than 6 million acres across the country.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient.

http://www.conservationfund.org