The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, an organization of state agencies with primary responsibility for management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 15 states, has presented its prestigious Wildlife Management Excellence Award to North Carolina’s Dean Simon.
In more than two decades as a wildlife forester, Simon has developed a controlled burn program for the southern Appalachian mountains, benefiting dozens of species, including bear, deer, turkey, grouse, rabbits, quail and various reptiles. Through his career, Simon has focused directly on 80,000 acres of commission game lands, and indirectly on .5 million acres of U.S. Forest Service lands.
“Dean exemplifies the professionalism and dedication of our wildlife employees toward innovative and science-based resource management by using such techniques as prescribed burning,” said David Cobb, chief of the commission’s Division of Wildlife Management.
Currently, he plans and conducts burns on 2,000 acres of land in the mountains of North Carolina each year. He has also co-authored several papers on prescribed burning in the mountains, and frequently educates the public, media and environmental groups on the benefits of fire to wildlife and plants.
“It is no easy task to burn in today’s ever urbanizing climate,” said Gordon Warburton, supervising biologist for the Commission’s Western Region Game Lands Program. “Yet, Dean Simon has persisted and now his work area boasts some of the shining examples of fire-maintained ecosystems in the mountains. He promotes the importance of fire on the landscape and how it can be done on the ground. He is an advocate for fire and has been successful in convincing many agencies to initiate programs on their properties.”
The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies serves as a clearinghouse for ideas, provides support and works on issues concerning wildlife and fisheries management, research techniques, wildlife law enforcement, hunting and outdoor safety and information and education programs, and protects the right of jurisdiction of the member states over their wildlife resources on public and private lands.
The award was presented at the Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas on Oct. 13.
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