June 17, 2005

LANSING – Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. has been chosen 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC).  The Lt. Governor will be officially presented with the award at the 68th Annual MUCC Convention banquet tomorrow evening in Lansing. 

“I was raised to cherish and respect Michigan’s bountiful natural gifts,” said Cherry.  “I am proud to have been a part of creating state policies that protect our natural resources from misuse, pollution and destruction.”

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Lt. Governor Cherry has been a tireless advocate for Michigan’s outdoors throughout his career.  While in the Senate, Cherry authored or co-sponsored several milestone laws to protect Michigan’s environment and encourage conservation.  During his time as Lt. Governor, he has been active in the Shooting Range Environmental Stewardship Program; led efforts to keep Chronic Wasting Disease out of Michigan’s deer herd; and championed Great Lakes water quality through his work on Great Lakes Restoration and the Great Lakes Commission, which he serves as vice-chair.

The MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the United States with more than 500 chapters and 100,000 members.  The group is dedicated to conserving Michigan's wildlife, fisheries, waters, forests, air, and soils through education and advocacy.