Kansan Honored with Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Excellence Award

For Doug Spencer, of Salina KS, conservation planning is more than a profession, it's a way of life.  Doug places extreme value in educating and training producers and staff to address critical grassland issues and to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes. Spencer played a key role in the success of a feature on the Great Plains Grasslands Initiative in conjunction with National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Cattlemen to Cattlemen TV series. He also served as a panelist for a presentation as part of the theme "Defending America's Grasslands" at the 2023 Western Working Lands for Wildlife Workshop.  Spencer was a key co-author in the development of the newly published "Reducing Woody Encroachment in Grasslands: A Pocket Guide for Planning and Design," a comprehensive, science-based tool for conservation planners working to save America's grasslands.

Spencer demonstrates how much he cares as much about the success of people around him as he does the resource. In the award narrative Spencer was recognized for his most profound characteristic in relationships with ranchers, farmers, internal and external partners, Trust.  His trust and commitment extend to the development of vital partnerships with organizations that focus on conservation, the producer, and the resources. Doug possesses a rare ability to distill cutting edge science and technology into practical information that agricultural producers and partners can put into practice.  This work is showcased in the Grazing Management Minute YouTube Video Series he helped develop to communicates innovative ideas on conservation practices that help maintain healthy and productive grasslands.

Doug is an active member of the Society of Rangeland Management and the American Forage and Grassland Council.  He contributes to numerous activities for those professional organizations by participating in state, regional, and national events, presenting the latest in conservation activities, and sharing a passion for the rancher and the natural resources. His committed involvement in professional organizations demonstrates his commitment to his life's work.

Spencer is a true leader in conservation within the agency and exhibits a true passion for his work, the producers and staff he serves, and the natural resource; and Kansas is honored to have him on staff and look forward to more years of service and outstanding leadership from him. Congratulations to Doug Spencer on receiveing the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence Award.