03-23-2010, 11:14 AM
Michael Yacino, a long-time champion of Massachusetts sportsmen and women, recently received the Governor Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award from the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for his contributions to conserving the Commonwealth's natural resources. Yacino, of Douglas, is the seventh recipient of the award established in 2000, by the Board to honor the former governor and noted conservationist who directed the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) in 1963 and '64.
"Mike Yacino has been a tremendous supporter of Massachusetts's conservation and land protection efforts, as well as an effective leader in protecting sportsmen's interests and educating young people regarding wildlife conservation and outdoor skills," said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin.
Yacino received the award - a hand-carved wooden loon decoy by Geoff Walker of Hank Walker Decoys of Newbury - at a ceremony held at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury. In attendance was MassWildlife Director Wayne MacCallum and members of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, who selected Yacino after reviewing nominations from a selection committee. Representatives from sporting clubs, land trusts and Douglas town officials were also present. "Mike Yacino has been a life-long advocate for wildlife conservation and sportsmen's activities," said Fisheries and Wildlife Board Chairman George Darey. "He has been one of the principal voices in ensuring that sportsmen's license fees support professional wildlife management and protect valuable wildlife habitat."
An avid hunter and fisherman, Yacino served as executive director of the Gun Owners' Action League from 1977 to 2005. During that time, he supported a range of conservation initiatives in Massachusetts, including funding for open space preservation, legislation to create the Wildlands Conservation Stamp, and the Rivers Protection Act of 1996, many times working with other sporting groups and environmental organizations. Yacino is also an outdoor writer, a supporter of youth outdoor recreational opportunities, and was a leader in the 1998 Lead Shot Initiative - a program designed to educate shooting range owners and operators about environmentally responsible management of spent ammunition. A Douglas Conservation Commission member since 1997 and its vice-chairman for the past three years, Yacino has actively pursued land protection efforts in town. He recently organized and conducted an informational meeting for town residents who are on private wells and is currently working with town officials on stormwater management issues.
"Mike Yacino has been a tremendous supporter of Massachusetts's conservation and land protection efforts, as well as an effective leader in protecting sportsmen's interests and educating young people regarding wildlife conservation and outdoor skills," said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin.
Yacino received the award - a hand-carved wooden loon decoy by Geoff Walker of Hank Walker Decoys of Newbury - at a ceremony held at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury. In attendance was MassWildlife Director Wayne MacCallum and members of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, who selected Yacino after reviewing nominations from a selection committee. Representatives from sporting clubs, land trusts and Douglas town officials were also present. "Mike Yacino has been a life-long advocate for wildlife conservation and sportsmen's activities," said Fisheries and Wildlife Board Chairman George Darey. "He has been one of the principal voices in ensuring that sportsmen's license fees support professional wildlife management and protect valuable wildlife habitat."
An avid hunter and fisherman, Yacino served as executive director of the Gun Owners' Action League from 1977 to 2005. During that time, he supported a range of conservation initiatives in Massachusetts, including funding for open space preservation, legislation to create the Wildlands Conservation Stamp, and the Rivers Protection Act of 1996, many times working with other sporting groups and environmental organizations. Yacino is also an outdoor writer, a supporter of youth outdoor recreational opportunities, and was a leader in the 1998 Lead Shot Initiative - a program designed to educate shooting range owners and operators about environmentally responsible management of spent ammunition. A Douglas Conservation Commission member since 1997 and its vice-chairman for the past three years, Yacino has actively pursued land protection efforts in town. He recently organized and conducted an informational meeting for town residents who are on private wells and is currently working with town officials on stormwater management issues.