The man who was mostly responsible for developing the state’s 2017 Coastal Master Plan will be honored March 17 as the Conservationist of the Year by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

Bren Haase, chief of the Planning and Research Division for the Coastal Protection and restoration Authority, will receive the Governor’s Award as Conservationist of the Year at the LWF’s annual banquet in Baton Rouge. He will be presented the coveted bald eagle statuette on a night when two other individual conservationists and three organizations are recognized during the 54th annual Governor’s State Conservation Achievement Awards.

Haase certainly deserves the statewide recognition, which goes to the person, business or organization deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution toward the protection, wise use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources. The nominations are made by the public.

Haase served as planning leader for a large, multidisciplinary team of more than 250 scientists, engineers and various stakeholders to produce the 2017 update to the State’s Coastal Master Plan.

Rebecca Triche, LWF executive director, said in a prepared statement, “Bren Haase is being commended for his professionalism in guiding a multi-year planning process and conveying the complexities of the plan to the public while consistently demonstrating his willingness to cultivate, understand and respond to stakeholders.

“While serving in this visible public role, Haase demonstrated positive collegiality in his leadership and a remarkable ability to assimilate detailed technical information and input at every point of engagement that kept this complex planning process moving forward.

It’s always interesting each year to learn about the other award winners. This year they are Edward Bodker of Pontchatoula; Nova Clarke of Monroe; Red River National Wildlife Refuge Youth Conservation Corps of Bossier City; Louisiana Public Square “Coastal Restoration: The Next Wave,” produced by  Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and SouthWings, a nonprofit headquartered in North Carolina with a satellite office in New Orleans.

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For those who might have missed it, the meet and greet for Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia’s Bassmaster Classic qualifier, was awesome. Thanks so much to everyone who pitched in to help salute Sumrall.

B.A.S.S. Nation sent a brief video for the event, one that was well-attended by family, friends and bass anglers from around Acadiana. The video was a little hard to see on the screen at approximately 5 p.m. in the afternoon, so if you like to get a good look and feel, go to https://bcove.video/2o2By41.

 

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.