Iowan Receives National Land Protection Award

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa Department of Natural Resources senior acquisition-donation agent, Jerry Gibson, received the 2010 National Land Protection Award, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which recognizes individuals, groups, organizations, corporations or public agencies for significant contributions to land protection for fish and wildlife resources.

Gibson, from Gilbert, received the award on Oct. 3, during the Land Trust Rally, in Hartford, Conn. This is the first time the award has been presented to an Iowan.

Gibson’s work has resulted in the protection of more than 31,000 acres for the National Wildlife Refuge System in Iowa, about one-third of that at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region supervisory realty specialist Ross Grimwood.

“Jerry has been the principal negotiator, case closer, relocation specialist and problem solver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquisitions in Iowa for the past 22 years,” Grimwood said.