CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, received the 2021 Military Conservation Partner Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Leopoldo “Leo” Miranda-Castro, Southeast regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Service, presented the award for excellence and exceptional leadership in natural resource conservation at the Grand Gallery of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Nov. 2.
“We are now really truly protecting the environment and protecting the animals who live in that environment,” said Boyles. “We have the right processes in place to continue to grow that environment.”
The award is significant for Camp Shelby because it is only the third time a National Guard installation has been recognized on a national level for conservation achievements.
“As part of the DOD (Department of Defense), we do a lot of conservation work because we are one of the biggest landowners in the U.S.,” said Bryan Fedrick, natural resources manager, Mississippi National Guard. “This is a culmination of several years of hard work.”
There is a direct relationship between military training and protecting the environment. Environmental considerations have an impact on military missions, whether it’s training or real-world missions.
“This award proves the stewardship of Camp Shelby. It shows that military missions and land conservation, and conservation of wildlife are totally compatible,” said Miranda-Castro. “What is good for the critters is good for the Soldiers.”
The annual award recipient is selected from a pool of nominees representing all the DOD military branches and all components of military service.