Council Presents First Biodiversity Conservation Award

By Mike Chapel

Charles A. Pritchard from Santa Margarita, California is the recipient of the first Biodiversity Conservation Award.

Presented at the California Biodiversity Council meeting on September 16-17 in Redding, the prestigious award recognizes “Outstanding Spirit and Enthusiasm ” in the pursuit of cooperative efforts for conserving natural resources.

Selected from an impressive field of nominees, Pritchard is recognized for his long-standing dedication to cooperative solutions to conservation issues. He is currently on the board of directors for the National Association of Resource Conservation Districts and served as the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts’ (CARCD) representative on the California Biodiversity Council from 1992-1994 and was instrumental in bringing local interests to the Council. Pritchard has also served with the Central Coast Conservation and Development Council, San Luis Obispo County Water Advisory Committee, Range Management Committee of the State Board of Forestry, California Farm Bureau, Central Coast Sustainable Landscapes Committee, California Cattlemen’s Association, and International Society for Range Management.

In addition to his distinguished public service, Chuck Pritchard is committed to balanced land stewardship in his private business practices. He operates a 15,000-acre livestock/wildlife management program near Carissa Plains in San Luis Obispo County. His practical application of “holistic resources management” is an example to other ranchers and community leaders.

The California Biodiversity Council established the “Biodiversity Conservation Award for Outstanding Spirit and Enthusiasm” in memory of Harley Greimam, a Forest Service employee who exhibited outstanding dedication to the pursuit of cooperative efforts for conserving natural resources.