“Snake Lady” and colleague recognized by U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Kristin Stanford

“The Snake Lady,” as she’s known, and a university researcher have received accolades from U.S. Fish and Wildlife for working to conserve the threatened Lake Erie watersnake.

According to the Great Lakes Echo, Kristin Stanford and Richard King of Northern Illinois University, are two of 18 recipients of the U.S. F&W’s Recovery Champions Awards.

The two received the award for their combined 35 years of work to protect the watersnake. King began his studies in the 1980s and determined there were population declines for the species. And Stanford, “The Snake Lady,” has “worked tirelessly to reach out to residents of the Lake Erie islands where the snake is found, to provide an understanding of the snake’s needs and to build support for its conservation,” according to the Fish and Wildlife press release.

“The Recovery Champion award both recognizes the exceptional conservation accomplishments of its honorees and highlights the importance of strong and diverse partnerships in species conservation,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould. “Recovery Champions are helping imperiled species regain their place in the natural resources fabric of our country while focusing attention on the importance of conserving our nation’s biological heritage for future generations.”

Three cheers for the snake lady [Great Lakes Echo] Midwesterners Receive National Endangered Species Recovery Champion Awards [U.S. Fish and Wildlife] Image Credit: Courtesy of Kristin Stanford / http://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/release.cfm?rid=199