DNR Biologist Linh Diem Phu Receives Izaak Walton League National Award

Annapolis, MD – The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) has selected Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Biologist Linh Diem Phu to receive the 2009 National Honor Roll award. Phu was nominated by the Rockville, MD Chapter of the IWLA and the award was announced at the conservation organization’s annual convention in Sioux Falls, N.D.

Phu was nominated for her outstanding work in helping the IWLA to combat invasive species on one of its natural areas.

“I’d like to congratulate Ms. Phu for this well-deserved recognition, and am proud of the fine work she is doing for DNR and our State’s public lands and wildlife,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

“Every time we needed her input, she was there,” said IWLA Chapter President Miles Greenbaum. “Her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm were key factors in the success of our invasive species control efforts.”

As a biologist for the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service, Phu works to implement the Maryland Landowner Incentive Program. Her professional focus is helping private citizens to conserve natural resources, particularly rare and endangered species, on private lands. Since 2000, the Landowner Incentive Program has worked to conserve habitat for 134 at-risk species on more that 3000 acres of private land.

“We can’t buy every acre of important natural landscape in Maryland,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “It’s critical that we have people like Ms. Phu working with landowners and helping them find programs to conserve resources on their land. I’m delighted that the Izaak Walton league recognized the great job she was doing.”

For more information about the Maryland Landowner Incentive Program, visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/lip.asp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov