Johnson Receives Conservation Award for Legislative Work

November 17, 2005

ST. PAUL - State Representative Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) was recently honored for his leadership in protecting bird habitat at Audubon Minnesota Annual Dinner on November 12.

"This award means a lot to me because I know the important work that Audubon Minnesota does in this state. Their continued support will be vital in the next legislative session as we work to preserve our state's natural resources for future generations," Johnson said.

Audubon Minnesota is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. Its mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.

Minnesota needs more legislators like Representative Sheldon Johnson," Audubon Minnesota Executive Director Mark Peterson said. "For all of us who enjoy watching birds in our backyards or going to state parks and forests to birdwatch or hunt, we have Representative Johnson to thank. Without new conservation leadership in House of Representatives, we risk losing everything that makes Minnesota unique and the things we value – clean water, forests, prairies and wetlands. Audubon appreciates Representative Johnson's strong leadership in protecting both game and non-game birds and their habitat."

In their announcement for the award, Minnesota Audubon recognized Johnson's leadership and ongoing commitment to protecting wetlands, prairies and forests throughout the state. A member of the House Environment Committee, he is also active in establishing bike and hiking trails and cleaning up polluted lakes, rivers and groundwater. In particular, Johnson has been a leader in protecting the Mississippi River, the largest migratory bird flyway in the United States.