NDOW biologist receives multiple awards

Larry Neel, a staff biologist who has worked 27 years for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), has been honored with two awards at the recent Spring Wings Bird Festival in Fallon, Nevada.

Ron Anglin, Spring Wings festival chair, acknowledged Neel with the award from the festival planning committee in recognition of Neel’s roles as “festival co-founder, expert tour guide, and tireless advocate for Lahontan Valley wetlands.”

In addition, Willie Molini, board chairman of the Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO), and former director of NDOW, presented Neel with a GBBO Founder’s Award in appreciation of Neel’s efforts as co-founder, secretary, contributor and mentor to GBBO, and his tireless work on behalf of bird conservation in Nevada and the western United States...Read more.

Nevada Game Warden Receives National Officer of the Year Award

Fifty-state competition brings local game warden honors for boating safety

A Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Game Warden Lieutenant in Las Vegas won the Officer of the Year award September 15 in Clearwater Beach Florida from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), during that organization’s annual conference.

Lieutenant David G. Pfiffner, 51, of North Las Vegas was given the honor for his more than 20 years of work in the Las Vegas area. He was awarded for his contribution to boating safety on Lakes Mead and Mohave as the game warden supervisor and for his role in arresting drunken boaters.

“When Dave started we didn’t even think about drunken boating,” said Rob Buonamici, chief game warden at NDOW. “Dave built our Operating Under the Influence program. He has personally arrested dozens of drunken boaters and worked towards reducing accidents. He is one of our most dedicated officers, and we are not at all surprised that he took top honors in the country this year.”...Read More

Mel Belding wins Wayne E. Kirch Conservation Award

Mel Belding of Reno will be recognized for his many years of commitment to Nevada’s wildlife resources during the March 27, 2009 Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners meeting in Reno where he will receive the 2008 Wayne E. Kirch Conservation Award.

Belding, an avid sportsman, has been working for the betterment of Nevada’s wildlife, and particularly Nevada’s big game animals, for many years. During 2008, Belding devoted hundreds of hours working on guzzlers and water developments throughout Nevada. Migrating deer and elk frequent these guzzlers as well as sage grouse, chukar and other non-game birds and wildlife species. Read more...

Messman Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

When honored with a lifetime achievement award, people usually experience a broad spectrum of emotions; happiness, pride, or a sense of accomplishment.

However, when Fred Messmann, Nevada Boating Law Administrator, was awarded the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) at its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in September, 2006, he was simply confused.

“I had no idea it was coming. As they began reading the accomplishments of the winner, I thought it sounded awfully familiar.” He said. “I joked with my peers that a lifetime achievement award usually means you’re all done, but I’m just getting warmed up,” said Messmann...Read More.

Booker Named Game Warden of the Year

Nevada Department of Wildlife Game Warden Richard Booker was named the NDOW Boating Game Warden of the Year in May of 2007.

The Boating Game Warden of the Year is an honor bestowed upon the officer who best exemplifies dependability, consistency, and eagerness to educate boaters all while upholding the boating laws of Nevada.

For the past five years Officer Booker has worked for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). His primary area of responsibility is Lake Mead, one of the Southwest’s busiest and most dangerous recreational reservoirs. Before coming to NDOW, Booker spent 28 years of service as a Park Ranger and was a member of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers...Read More.

State Wildlife Department Recognized for Hispanic Outreach Efforts

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) was recognized in July of 2007 for its efforts to take the fishing message to Nevada’s growing Hispanic population and encouraging its members to participate in this traditional outdoor sport. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) presented NDOW with the Take Me FishingTM Outreach and Education Award during the annual conference of the Association for Conservation Information held in Lenox, Mass. in July.

“This is the type of award that everyone at NDOW can be proud of, and we are very honored. The campaign has helped us gain a better understanding of all of our customers, and to learn new and better ways to encourage fishing in Nevada, “said Kelly Clark, NDOW conservation education chief...Read More.