WGA Policy Advisor Bill Whitacre was recently recognized for “Outstanding Achievement by a State Government Agency” by the Reduce Risks from Invasive Species Coalition (RRISC).
The award, presented at their fourth annual Congressional Reception in Washington D.C., was given for Whitacre’s leadership in coordinating western states work to confront invasive species as part of the Western Governors’ Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative. The central policy initiative of Hawai‘i Gov. David Ige focused on the impacts that nuisance species, pests and pathogens have on ecosystems, forests, rangelands, watersheds, and infrastructure in the West.
“Over the last year, Bill has spearheaded a series of five workshops across the West, focusing on data collection and sharing, early detection/rapid response, restoration, land management, and cross-border collaboration,” said Rick Otis, RRISC President.
In addition to organizing regional workshops, hosting webinars and planning the upcoming WGA Invasive Mussel Leadership Forum in Las Vegas, NV, Whitacre leads the WGA Invasive Species Advisory Group.
“This broad-scale collaboration initiative to explore shared solutions is paying dividends to maximize invasive species prevention efforts across the West in connection with state, local, federal, and tribal entities,” said Otis.
Read the RRISC press release on the 2019 awards.
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