Auburn, Ala. – Dr. William Puckett of Auburn was recently awarded the Soil Conservationist of the Year Award at the 2013 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet. The banquet was held on August 2, 2013 at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Governor Robert Bentley provided opening remarks and assisted with presentation of the awards.
The AWF Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards (GCAA) are the most respected conservation honors in the state of Alabama. Over the past 30 years, the Alabama Wildlife Federation has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources.
Dr. Puckett serves as the State Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama. In this role, he has become known for his proactive approach, can-do attitude, and building effective partnerships with a host of organizations and agencies committed to soil and water conservation and the wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources.
Under Dr. Puckett’s leadership, he has fostered effective implementation of Farm Bill programs that have resulted in millions of dollars invested in partnership with Alabama landowners to protect our soil resources through conservation tillage and the use of cover crops. At the same time, these programs have also increased crop productivity, improved water quality, and established beneficial forest and wildlife habitats.
During the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Dr. Puckett spearheaded development of the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative and worked with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and coastal Alabama