iSANTA BARBARA ??? The California Fish and Game Commission has officially recognized the newly formed California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame (WHF). A resolution recognizing WHF was presented at today's Commission meeting along with the Hall's first class of inductees. The WHF was recently established to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing the waterfowl resource in California. A small group of interested waterfowlers was instrumental in establishing WHF. It is intended that major contributions and achievements, both past and present, be duly recognized.

Michael Flores, president of the Fish and Game Commission, released the following statement:

"It is a honor for the Commission to formally recognize the professionals, legislators, sportsmen, agriculturists and other conservationists who have sacrificed in the past, and those who will contribute in the future to California's waterfowl resource."??

Categories for the WHF inductees include: biologists, academics/professors, federal/state administrators, legislators, sportsmen, and agriculturalists.

The first class of inductees include: Bert McKee (1904-1991) who served as president of Ducks Unlimited and who dedicated 54 years to waterfowl conservation.?? Bill Ready (1938-2001) who served as president of the California Waterfowl Association and who dedicated 35 years of his life to the waterfowl resource. Robert "Bob" Eberhardt (1927-1994) who served as president of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Dennis Raveling (1939-1991) who inspired a commitment to waterfowl in many of today's leaders in the field while serving as professor of wildlife, specializing in ecology at the University of California at Davis. Harvey Sorensen (1899-1979) who was a co-founder and past president of Ducks Unlimited. And Warren C. Bud Rienecker (1927-1991) who served as a Waterfowl Biologist, with the California Department of Fish and Game for over 30 years.

Members of the WHF nominating committee are: G. Ray Arnett, Assistant Undersecretary of the Interior and retired Director of the California Department of Fish and Game; Bill Gaines, President, California Outdoor Heritage Alliance; Bob McLandress, President, California Waterfowl Association; Fritz Reid, Director of Conservation Planning Ducks Unlimited; Dan Yparraguirre, Waterfowl Coordinator, California Fish and Game; Red Hunt, retired Chief of Game Management, California Fish and Game; Frank Kozlick, retired Waterfowl Coordinator, California Department of Fish and Game; Ray Lewis, Past President, California Waterfowl Association; Wendell Miller, retired Habitat Specialist, California Department of Fish and Game; and Dan Connelly, Executive Director, Cortopassi Family Foundation.

G. Ray Arnett, member of the WHF nominating committee, released the following statement:

"This award program is long overdue in recognizing the efforts of so many great folks of the past. I sincerely hope that this stimulates others to go the extra mile to help the waterfowl resources of this great state."