Education

Lori Singleton to Serve as Interim CEO/President for Arizona Forward

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Source:  Arizona Forward Press Release by Mr. Michael Olson, Chair of Arizona Forward –  October 3, 2017

“As Chair of the Board of Directors for Arizona Forward, I wanted to share with
you some exciting news about the leadership of the organization.  As you know, Diane Brossart has retired as CEO/President after 26 years in the role.  As the Board continues to complete the search for a new CEO, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Lori Singleton will be serving Arizona Forward as the Interim CEO/President.

Many of you know Lori as she has been a previous Chair of the Board of
Directors, has served on the Board for more than two decades and has Chaired the Environmental Excellence Awards program for the past 16 years.  SRP has graciously agreed to allow Lori, an executive at SRP, to be at the helm of Arizona Forward while the Board continues the recruiting and selection efforts for the CEO position.  Lori’s long time experience with the organization, and her knowledge of important environmental issues affecting the state, uniquely qualify her to serve in this role.

The Board and I are extremely positive about the new beginnings taking place at Arizona Forward, which are infused by the solid foundation of an organization that has been built over the last 48 years.  The recent Environmental Excellence Awards program demonstrated the breadth and depth of the commitment to the mission of the organization, and highlighted projects throughout the state that truly raise the bar in terms of environmental excellence.  This month, we will provide valuable environmental education materials to more than 300 teachers who will attend the EarthFest Educator’s Night at the Phoenix Zoo on October 24.  And there are many more exciting initiatives and programs that will be announced in the coming weeks.

Please join me in welcoming Lori in her new role. Her email is [email protected], and her cell phone is 602-499-5465.  Feel free to reach out to Lori, or contact me personally, if you have any questions or suggestions for how we continue to strengthen and help lead Arizona into a sustainable and vibrant future.”

Michelle Olson,  Board Chair, Arizona Forward

Applications Sought for Arizona Game and Fish Commission

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Source:  Arizona Game and Fish Department Press Release – September 28, 2107

The Governor’s Office is currently accepting applications for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.  Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

Governor Doug Ducey is seeking members who are well-informed and passionate about Arizona wildlife and its long-term conservation. In accordance with Arizona law, the Game and Fish Commission is required to be politically balanced (i.e., no more than three commission members shall be members of the same political party) and representative of all 15 counties (i.e., no two members may be residents of the same county).

Therefore, this Commission vacancy is NOT available to registered residents of Apache, Maricopa, Pima, or Yuma counties. Residents of any political affiliation from all other counties – Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai – are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals may apply by clicking here: Boards and Commissions Application.

For further information about the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and its mission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission. Individuals also may contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at (602) 542-2449.

Arizona State Parks and Trails Brings Home the Gold Medal for Best Managed State Park System

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Source:  Arizona State Parks and Trails Press Release – September 26, 2017

Arizona State Parks and Trails today won the Gold Medal for best managed state park system in the nation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The award was announced this morning during the national NRPA conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“This is a tremendous achievement that benefits everyone in our state – from residents to tourists,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “Winning the Gold Medal is a testament to the hard work, collaboration and innovation that Arizona State Parks and Trails demonstrated to get us to this point.”

Arizona State Parks and Trails was selected as a Final Four candidate in May, along with Tennessee State Parks; Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission; and Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails.  Over the last two years, Arizona State Parks and Trails has established a self-sufficient funding structure, achieved record visitation and revenue and implemented a plan to reinvest in the system and create new parks.

“This Gold Medal win is not just about the staff of Arizona State Parks and Trails,” said Sue Black, Executive Director of Arizona State Parks and Trails. “This is about everyone in Arizona who contributes to our success or gets to enjoy our beautiful parks. It’s a huge honor to be considered the best-managed state park agency in the country, and we hope everyone will get out and see these amazing parks first-hand.”

To celebrate making it to the Final Four and hear the Gold Medal winner announced, agency partners, stakeholders and constituents gathered at the Arizona State Parks and Trails Outdoor Recreation Information Center on Tuesday morning as the event was live-streamed on Facebook from New Orleans. Executive Director Black accepted the award.

The Gold Medal Award honors state park systems throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices.

For information about all 35 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit AZStateParks.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Michelle Thompson at (602) 542-1996 or (480) 589-8877 – Email: [email protected]

Arizona Game and Fish Officials Honroed by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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Source:  Western Outdoor Times, September 1, 2017

The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) honored four leaders from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) for their conservation efforts at an awards ceremony last month.

Craig McMullen received the WAFWA Professional of the Year Award for achievements during his 24-year career with AZGFD. Starting with the department in 1993 as a Wildlife manager, McMullen quickly moved into positions of increasing responsibility including as chief of the Wildlife Recreation Branch and regional supervisor in Flagstaff for the past five years. In July, he was promoted to role of assistant director of field operations for AZGFD. “I am honored to have received the award of Professional of the Year,” McMullen said. “The award reflects the great and important work done by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and everyone who is a part of those efforts.”

The President’s Award was presented to the Mule Deer Working Group, which is led by Jim Heffelfinger, Wildlife science coordinator for AZGFD. The Mule Deer Working Group develops strategies to assist in the management of Mule Deer populations throughout the West, works to improve communication among Mule Deer biologists, and provides a forum to respond to information needs from agencies. “Our success rests entirely on robust collaboration and communication to deliver Mule Deer conservation across state and provincial boundaries,” Heffelfinger said.

AZGFD Wildlife Recreation Branch Chief Scott Lavinreceived the Contributor of the Year Award for his work on WAFWA’s Hunter, Angler, Shooting Sports and Wildlife Recreation Participation workgroup. Lavin’s efforts in Arizona continue to maintain a longstanding and active statewide R3 collaboration with strong industry support.

Recently retired AZGFD Director Larry Voyles was awarded with a WAFWA lifetime membership for his career accomplishments and service to the department.

The awards were presented in Vail, Colo., at WAFWA’s annual conference.