Many years of commitment to Nevada's wildlife resources will be recognized during the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners meeting today in Eureka when Bernie Metcalf, of Lund, will receive the Wayne E. Kirch Conservation Award.

Metcalf, an avid sportsman, has been working for the betterment of Nevada's wildlife, and particularly the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) north of Las Vegas, for many years.

During 2007, Metcalf devoted many hours working on guzzlers and water developments in the mountains surrounding the area. Metcalf also spent a myriad of hours working on a multitude of projects at the Kirch WMA. Often, Metcalf is called up on short notice and at odd times to participate in this work.

Throughout the year, Metcalf lent a helping hand and sound advice to the employees and manager of the Kirch WMA. The Kirch WMA would not be what it is today, without his dedication and hard work.

Metcalf has purchased seed for wildlife food plots and has taken it upon himself to not only donate out of his own pocket, but has lobbied sportsmen to make donations for seed purchases and has set up a special account to receive these donations.

Metcalf's high level of commitment and ceaseless work have led to several old Bureau of Land Management water developments (guzzlers) in the south Egan Range being rebuilt and repaired to a usable status.

Migrating deer and elk frequent these guzzlers as well as a resident herd of desert bighorn sheep and other wildlife species. Metcalf was instrumental in restoring a pipe and trough water development in the Granite Range west of the Kirch WMA leading to a reliable source of water for wildlife in this range.

The Wayne E. Kirch Conservation Award is given annually to recipients who have demonstrated significant results towards conservation, management or enhancement of wildlife.

It is named in memory of Wayne E. Kirch, who served on the Fish and Game Commission for over 25 years, the longest tenure on the board since its inception in 1877. Kirch, of Las Vegas, passed away in 1989.