Assemblyman Parker Space honored with The George P. Howard Conservation Award presented by the NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs
NEW JERSEY – Assemblyman Parker Space (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) on Saturday was awarded The George P. Howard Conservation Award presented by the NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs at the Federation’s annual convention in Ocean City.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Space. “My family and I had known George for decades and he was a leader among leaders in promoting the proper management of our outdoor spaces and wildlife. Words cannot describe what this means to me to be recognized in his name.”
The award is presented to an individual who has shown, by example, ways in which he or she has helped conserve the natural resources of New Jersey by promoting the wise use of those resources.
George Howard was a WWII veteran serving in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater. He graduated from the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He worked for the New Jersey Division of Fish & Game from 1950 until 1990, ending his career as the director of the division. He served on the New Jersey Fish and Game Council 1990-2001 and eventually served as the executive director of the Federation.
“I speak from the heart; this award in honor of George Howard is given to somebody who gives us a lifetime of commitment to our way of life, to the conservation of our natural resources, and the ability to enjoy them – to enjoy the outdoors one on one – personally with the outdoors,” said John Rogalo, Northern Region President for the Federation and Sussex County resident. “For a lifetime of commitment to our way of life and representing us, I can’t thank Assemblyman Space enough.”
Assemblyman Space is widely seen as the conservative conscience of the legislature on outdoor issues. He is a lifelong hunter and as owner of Space Farm Zoo and Museum in Wantage, has promoted sound wildlife polices through educational programs there.
As a legislator, he serves as the Assembly Republican Co-Chairman of the New Jersey Angling, Hunting, and Conservation Caucus and he has served on the Assembly Agriculture Committee since becoming a member of the legislature in 2013. There he was instrumental in seeing positive legislation being enacted such the creation of apprentice firearm and bow and arrow hunting licenses; the creation of the “Fishing Buddy License;” and authorizing the use of tracking dog to search and recover wild deer during hunting season.
In addition, Assemblyman Space has been at the forefront of protecting the interests of sportsmen during legislative fights over the bear hunt and attacks on the Fish and Game Council as well as opposing the redesignation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
He also vehemently opposed the attempt to indefinitely close state lands such as parks, forests, and wildlife management areas, shooting ranges, and prevent firearm sales during the early days of the pandemic and opposed all new gun control laws enacted since he has been in office.
