For Immediate Release: Friday, February 4, 2000
Contact: Sheri Bell (303) 239.3671

Public Lands Foundation Honors Top Technical Professional Employee

Washington, D.C. John Schwarz, Wetlands Biologist for the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) La Jara Field Office in La Jara, Colorado, has been named "Outstanding Public Land Professional" for 1999 by the Public Lands Foundation.

The award will be presented to Schwarz on February 10, 2000, in Washington, D.C., at a special awards ceremony in the BLM Director's Office.

Foundation President George Lea announced the selection, which recognizes Schwarz for outstanding dedication and following the highest standards while working to protect the Blanca Wetlands. "John used old fashioned tenacity and professional acumen to change dry lakes into highly productive wetlands. He has left a legacy that few professional biologists are able to achieve in a lifetime," Lea said. "John has pursued a vision for over 20 years to transform a 9,700-acre dry basin into a wetlands complex ranging from deep water ponds to shallow playas, now considered one of the premier waterfowl and shorebird producing areas in Colorado."

BLM Colorado State Director Ann Morgan, upon learning of Schwarz’s recognition, said, "We are very proud of John's accomplishments. His work with Blanca Wetlands is a perfect example of the concept of restoration that Interior Secretary Babbitt has made a central theme for us."

Restoring the wetlands had the formula for failure because of the strong opposition to use water for non-agricultural purposes. Accomplishing this significant and sensitive project was not easy. John overcame obstacles, took risks and exemplified courage and tireless effort while keeping the project moving forward.

John worked closely with many groups to achieve consensus among competing interests. This is another example of a professional civil servant’s willingness to chart new direction in protecting and enhancing natural resources. Lea added, "We hope this recognition of John's work will help the real owners of these lands to better understand and appreciate the high ideals and integrity that BLM employees bring to this difficult task each day. We want the public to know how lucky that are to have dedicated workers like John."

The national award, now in its eleventh year is a "Hall of Fame" type of recognition for special professional achievement and courage, as well as outstanding job performance.

The Foundation is the only national membership organization dedicated solely to the protection and perpetuating the public land administered by BLM. It is a non-profit group whose members are private individuals and organizations and retired and current BLM employees.

The San Luis Valley in south central Colorado encompasses more than a half million acres of public lands, with complex management issues due to the high degree of private and federal ownership.