[Pollinator] Bill Howard In Memorium

[ladadams@aol.com]

Dear Members and Friends of the Wildlife Habitat Council,



It is with great difficulty and sadness that we write you this message. 
On Thursday, March 23, 2006, the Wildlife Habitat Council's President, 
Bill Howard passed away. It appears that Bill had a fatal heart attack. 
He was taken to Washington Adventist Hospital around 5:00 p.m. EST, and 
the WHC staff was informed later in the evening that he could not be 
resuscitated.



At this time, information with regard to a memorial service and funeral 
arrangements are incomplete. As we understand in speaking with the 
family, there will be a small service in Abilene, Kansas, in the near 
future that will be limited to family and a few guests. We anticipate 
in May, there will be a memorial service in the Washington, DC area for 
all of Bill's friends and colleagues, to come and celebrate his life. 
Mike Howard, Bill's son, and Judy Howard, Bill's wife, are currently 
making plans for the Washington area memorial service and the 
development of a memorial fund to receive contributions in Bill's honor.



Bill was a huge figure in stature, heart and deed in conservation 
efforts in the United States over the past 30 years. He joined the WHC 
staff in 1996 as its second President. Through his vision, the 
organization grew to support his strong commitment to build practical, 
viable programs that increase the amount of quality wildlife habitat by 
working with corporate lands as a means to further environmental 
education and outreach in the conservation arena.



Before becoming WHC's president, Bill was President and Chief Executive 
Officer of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), in Washington, D.C. 
He had been with NWF since 1979, when he started as Director of NWF's 
state and regional programs. In 1988, he became Senior Vice President 
of conservation programs and was named Executive Vice President in 
1990. He held that post until 1995, when he was named President/CEO.



Prior to coming to Washington, Bill was the Executive Director of the 
Oklahoma Wildlife Federation, where his work earned the organization 
the Affiliate of the Year award in 1976. He also served on a 
gubernatorial Blue Ribbon Panel to rewrite Oklahoma's state forestry 
practices regulations. Bill was named Conservationist of the Year by 
the Oklahoma Izaak Walton League and received a Governor's Conservation 
Services Citation in Oklahoma.



Bill served as a presidential appointee on the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Council and as co-chairman for the production of a 
far-reaching publication, "Blueprint for the Environment." His 
dedication to environmental stewardship was extensive, and he served on 
the boards and executive committees of many wide-reaching 
organizations, including Renew America, National Wildlife Action, 
Windstar Foundation, Aspen Global Change Institute, League of 
Conservation Voters, The Other Economic Summit (North American) and 
Presidential Environmental Inaugural Ball for both President Bush and 
President Clinton.



Understanding his great leadership, achievements and contributions to 
conservation and conservation education, the WHC Board of Directors is 
working with staff to develop a suitable tribute to Bill, including an 
award in his name and a major celebration at the 2006 Annual Symposium 
in Baltimore on November 13-14, 2006. In the coming weeks and months, 
as details for this tribute are developed, we will keep you informed 
and seek your support.



In the interim, we ask that you keep Bill's family and the staff in 
your thoughts and prayers.



David Carroll, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Bob Johnson, Acting President

www.wildlifehc.org