Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) was named a Department of Natural Resources Partner in Conservation at Friday's meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

"During a crucial time to the DNR, in terms of wildlife health and budget constraints, MSUE staff stepped up to help our department meet its mission of involving the public in the management and protection of natural resources," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "By helping the department organize two recent series of public meetings about Chronic Wasting Disease and the future of conservation across the state in a very short timeframe, MSUE helped the DNR have important conversations on both these topics with the public. Their professionalism and expert handling of logistics made these meetings a great success."

MSUE has a long history of relationship-building and has been a partner to the DNR for many years, Humphries added. MSUE assisted the DNR with a series of public meetings in the fall of 2008 after the first case of CWD was confirmed in Michigan. This spring, MSUE helped organize a series of town hall meetings across Michigan to discuss the future of conservation in the state and help identify priorities for the department in tough economic times.

Since its beginning, MSUE has focused on bringing knowledge-based educational programs to the people of Michigan to help improve their lives and their communities. MSUE's work began before the program was officially organized. The Michigan State College's (now MSU) first livestock field agent was hired in 1907. In 1912, the Michigan Legislature authorized county boards of supervisors to appropriate funds and levy taxes to further teaching and demonstrations in MSUE work. Eleven agricultural agents were named that year.

In 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, which created the Cooperative Extension System, and directed the nation's land grant universities to oversee this work. Today, MSUE agents work in all 83 Michigan counties using a wide variety of informational systems to deliver educational information and programs.

"Today's problems often are complex, requiring expertise in numerous disciplines and the collaboration of many partners," Humphries said. "Because MSUE was willing to be a partner to the DNR at an important time in the history of conservation, we were able to inform Michigan's citizens and stakeholders of the importance of wildlife health in our state. Additionally, we were able to gather raw data from a diverse group of natural resources stakeholders at the town hall meetings, which will ultimately help the DNR set conservation priorities."

The MSUE staff recognized with the award include Tom Coon, MSUE director; Ann Nieuwenhuis, Steve Yanni, Linda Rossberg, Jeannine Grobbel, Linda Cronk and Karen Dubow.

Individuals and organizations are nominated for the Partner in Conservation Award by DNR employees for outstanding volunteer efforts to assist the department in natural resources protection and conservation. The award is given out six times a year at NRC meetings.