Fort Stewart receives conservation award for birds

Late last month, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recognized the conservation progress at U.S. Army Fort Stewart Military Reservation in southeastern Georgia. In bestowing the 2009 Military Conservation Partner Award, FWS cited the doubling of the state's largest Red-cockaded Woodpecker population.

FWS Acting Director Rowan Gould announced the award at the 75th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Milwaukee, Wis.

“The Service is proud to honor Fort Stewart’s exceptional accomplishments in endangered species conservation and propagation, environmental education, and community outreach,” Gould said. “Fort Stewart’s environmental program is extremely comprehensive. They do everything from contributing 254 juvenile red-cockaded woodpeckers to the Service’s translocation program to hosting an annual Kid’s Fishing Event.”

Fort Stewart covers 280,000 acres, making it the largest military installation in the eastern United States. It manages populations of more than 20 state and/or federally protected species, including Red-cockaded Woodpecker, eastern indigo snake, flatwoods salamander and Wood Stork.