Awardee

Steven Young
Missouri Department of Conservation
Jefferson City, Missouri

Steve Young has 20 years of experience in wetland development and management with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Since 1991, he has held the position of Missouri’s Wetland Wildlife Biologist. His primary responsibility is to implement statewide wetland restoration programs, train state and federal personnel in wetland restoration and management techniques, and to assist private landowners in wetland restoration and management.

Steve is currently assigned to a joint position with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. His primary responsibility is to coordinate and implement private land wetland restoration programs, including the Emergency Wetland Reserve Program, the Wetland Reserve Program, the Partnership for Missouri Riverlands, and the Partners for Wildlife program. Since 1991, these wetland restoration programs have added approximately 29,000 acres of wetland habitat on private land in Missouri. Steve has been instrumental in building cooperative relationships among state, federal, and private conservation organizations to facilitate the restoration and management of wetlands.

— Kelly Srigley Werner and Gary Frazer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service