2007 National Civil Rights Awards

J.R. Flores presented Manager Workforce Diversity Award. North Dakota State Conservationist J.R. Flores (center) receives the Manager Workforce Diversity Award from NRCS Associate Chief Dana York and NRCS National Civil Rights Chair Joyce Swartzendruber. J.R. was commended for his direct involvement in promoting equal opportunity and work with students. NRCS image.

Manager Workforce Diversity Award
J.R. Flores, State Conservationist, North Dakota
J.R. has been instrumental in the success of NRCS recruitment programs in North Dakota. Because of his leadership and support in promoting equal opportunity, NRCS North Dakota's Special Emphasis Program Managers, Human Resources staff, and Civil Rights Advisory Committee have been able to really focus on the attainment of quality and diversity in new hires. He is involved in recruitment and retention efforts, personally conducting interviews with prospects at national conferences and ensuring that Student Temporary Employment Program and Student Career Experience Program employees from out of State had proper accommodations and transportation to make their summer-long experiences with us positive ones.

Group Civil Rights Award
North Dakota Civil Rights Advisory Committee
North Dakota Civil Rights Advisory Committee creatively addresses NRCS' human capital concerns. A video developed by the committee is now used throughout the State to recruit well-qualified and diverse employees for NRCS North Dakota. And to help keep the employees they hire, the committee created a mentoring program. They also hosted a statewide Cultural Diversity Day, to enhance awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity.

National Individual Civil Rights Award
Daniel Schmidt, District Conservationist/Tribal Liaison, Penobscot County, Maine
Dan was celebrated for his outstanding outreach efforts and assistance to the Penobscot Indian Nation. This assistance has enabled the tribe to improve forest management, reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve wildlife habitat, and restore fish passage. Dan works with the tribe each year to review NRCS program opportunities and determine priority work on 130,000 acres of trust lands the tribe manages. He has successfully incorporated the tribe’s natural resource objectives, which include timber production, hunting and food gathering, and the collection of medicinal plants, into conservation plans that make active use of the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

 

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