RJ
02-24-2009, 01:16 PM
Joseph Garris, a Senior Wildlife Technician with the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife was recently honored with the prestigious Joe Kurz Excellence in Wildlife Management Award at the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show, held in Nashville, Tenn.
The Joe Kurz Excellence in Wildlife Management Award recognizes wildlife managers such as Garris who have worked untiringly for the wild turkey and its habitat. Garris has worked for more than 30 years on a variety of projects to help the Division of Fish and Wildlife manage and improve habitat for the wild turkey and countless other species of wildlife. He is skilled in all aspects of wildlife management from banding waterfowl to trapping furbearing mammals. Garris is also an avid archer and excellent turkey hunter.
"Joseph Garris is a prime example of going beyond the call of duty," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF's chief conservation officer. "Garris is not only a talented wildlife technician, but also a great NWTF volunteer and a dedicated family man. New Jersey's turkey hunters are lucky to have him working on their behalf."
"I've been doing my job for 32 years, but it doesn't seem like that long because I enjoy the work so much," Garris said. "My expectation wasn't to win an award for doing what I've felt I should be doing over the years, but I'm honored and feel privileged to be recognized for doing the job I love."
Garris lives in Stillwater, NJ where he and his wife Diana, are raising nine children, all of whom are turkey hunters. To view the entire National Wild Turkey Federation Press Release visit: http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12772 (http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12772)
The Joe Kurz Excellence in Wildlife Management Award recognizes wildlife managers such as Garris who have worked untiringly for the wild turkey and its habitat. Garris has worked for more than 30 years on a variety of projects to help the Division of Fish and Wildlife manage and improve habitat for the wild turkey and countless other species of wildlife. He is skilled in all aspects of wildlife management from banding waterfowl to trapping furbearing mammals. Garris is also an avid archer and excellent turkey hunter.
"Joseph Garris is a prime example of going beyond the call of duty," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF's chief conservation officer. "Garris is not only a talented wildlife technician, but also a great NWTF volunteer and a dedicated family man. New Jersey's turkey hunters are lucky to have him working on their behalf."
"I've been doing my job for 32 years, but it doesn't seem like that long because I enjoy the work so much," Garris said. "My expectation wasn't to win an award for doing what I've felt I should be doing over the years, but I'm honored and feel privileged to be recognized for doing the job I love."
Garris lives in Stillwater, NJ where he and his wife Diana, are raising nine children, all of whom are turkey hunters. To view the entire National Wild Turkey Federation Press Release visit: http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12772 (http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12772)