Landowners in Livingston, Hopkins, Trimble, Bracken, Estill and Whitley counties have been honored for habitat improvements to their property. These improvements greatly benefit wildlife in each of these areas.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recognizes the efforts of landowners each year through its Habitat Improvement Program awards. The department also selects a business conservation partner and a conservationist of the year.

“Each year, we recognize the best landowner in each of the five wildlife regions based on habitat accomplishments, community outreach and recreational opportunities,” said Ben Robinson, small game biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “These landowners sacrifice their time and money to do what’s best for wildlife on their property, and we are honored to recognize them for a job well done.”

The Habitat Improvement Program provides landowners with management plans, technical assistance and some financial assistance. Since its inception in 1987, more than 11,000 landowners with 2.1 million acres of property have participated in this program.

Winners for 2010 include:

2010 Statewide Landowner of the Year:

Dr. Ivus Crouch, Livingston County

Crouch manages his 1,600 acres in Livingston County intensively for wild quail. His properties include more than 500 acres of native warm season grasses; he continues to convert fescue pastures into native plant communities that provide quality wildlife habitat. Crouch opens his land to visitors for field days, allows youth hunters on his property and hosts a Wounded Warriors turkey hunt for disabled veterans.

2010 Green River Region Landowner of the Year:

James Parker, Hopkins County

Parker enrolled the entire crop base of his 75-acre Hopkins County farm into the Conservation Reserve Program. He also utilizes numerous wildlife management practices to benefit all wildlife, with a strong emphasis on quail. Parker displays wildlife conservation leadership by successfully encouraging his neighbors to improve wildlife habitat on their own properties.

2010 Bluegrass Region Landowner of the Year:

Jamie Fackler, Trimble County

Fackler has converted a significant amount of the productive farmland on his 254-acre Trimble County property to an enhanced wildlife habitat. He has assisted waterfowl through the construction of numerous shallow water wetlands and wood duck nesting boxes. Fackler generously allows Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists to trap wood ducks on his property for banding, and assists these employees with their efforts.

2010 Northeast Region Landowner of the Year:

John Parker, Bracken County

Parker owns and manages more than 1,200 acres in Bracken County for agricultural production, wildlife habitat and forest management. He has implemented forest stand improvements on more than 160 acres of his property, and is currently ridding the landscape of 60 acres of invasive bush honeysuckle. In addition to working closely with many government agencies, he hosts a dove hunt each year for the local 4-H shooting team.

2010 Southeast Region Landowner of the Year:

Jack Stickney, Estill County

Most of Stickney’s 134 acres in Estill County are forested; he has enrolled his managed timber into the Forest Opportunities Initiative and sold carbon credits for those areas. He works with neighbors to manage their properties. Stickney has also hosted several field days and outreach programs with a variety of conservation groups.

2010 Statewide Business Conservation Partner of the Year:

W.D. Bryant and Sons, Whitley County

This company is currently working with the University of Kentucky Extension Service on a kudzu eradication project for its 550-acre property in Whitley County. This will be used as a demonstration area for the county. Company officials regularly invite other interested landowners to view the habitat improvements, and started an outdoor conservation group to discuss habitat management at monthly meetings.

2010 Statewide Conservationist of the Year:

Dianna Angle

This award recognizes a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservationist who possesses a strong ability to positively influence the landscape of wildlife management, and is truly dedicated to the cause of improving wildlife habitat. Angle has been a key facilitator in the management of wildlife habitat and a strong advocate for the use of controlled burning. She increases local awareness of the Habitat Improvement Program, and works to build partnerships with government agencies and wildlife conservation groups.

For more information about how you can participate in the Habitat Improvement Program, contact your Kentucky Fish and Wildlife private lands biologist. A map showing the private lands biologist for your region may be viewed at fw.ky.gov. Click on the “Maps and Online Services” tab, then on the “Other KDFWR Maps” tab. You may also contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for information on habitat improvement programs.