State Representative Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, has been named the 2009 Legislative Leader of the Year by the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) at its 2009 Annual Meeting in Orange Beach.

The meeting is held each year for information distribution and conservation education among its members and stakeholders. The Legislative Leader of the Year Award highlighted the many awards that were given at the opening night banquet.

Rep. Lindsey received the award for providing leadership in promoting the importance of conservation and land management practices. This is the second time Rep. Lindsey has received the award.

Rep. Lindsey was also nominated by Cherokee County SWCD and received the Outstanding Elected Official award for 2009.

Rep. Lindsey, a cotton gin operator and farmer, has been a strong advocate for conservation and has long encouraged support for all programs that help the agriculture industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to understand the needs of land owners and farmers through my life experiences and the conservation districts have been a great resource to help assist Alabama’s largest industry,” said Lindsey.

Representative Lindsey also feels that conservation practices on private land makes a very large impact on Alabama because approximately 90 percent of Alabama is owned by individuals.

“I think the Alabama farmer and landowner is the greatest conservationist in the world and I appreciate the work AACD does for conservation,” said Lindsey.

Roy Kendrick, AACD President, is appreciative of Rep. Lindsey’s efforts in Montgomery and hopes his hard work does not go unnoticed by Alabamians.

“Richard Lindsey has been a true leader in guiding our state and has given our members, who care about conservation, the ability to educate Alabamians on its importance,” said Kendrick,” He has done an outstanding job promoting conservation in amongst his peers in the Alabama Legislature.

The Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) was organized in August, 1943 and is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization of the 67 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in Alabama. SWCD’s are independent subdivisions of state government, just as counties and school districts.

Conservation districts are local governments at work and their specific responsibility is management of soil and water resources. The idea behind their formation is to keep decision-making on soil and water conservation matters at the local level.

To learn more about AACD and its programs please visit us at www.swcc.state.al.us.