The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) has announced that Christopher H. Buckley Jr., a resident of Islamorada, Florida, has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the Lee Wulff Atlantic Salmon Conservation Award. Former ASF (U.S.) Chairman Richard J. Warren presented the award 12 November 2015 at an ASF board meeting in New York City.
On 15 November 2012 Buckley assumed the chairmanship of ASF’s U.S. Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a retired partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, one of the largest law firms in the United States. He founded and chaired the firm's Environment & Natural Resources Practice Group, of which more than 50 attorneys are members.
Buckley represented ASF in its successful petition to have wild Atlantic salmon listed as an endangered species in the few remaining Maine rivers in which it spawns.
“It is an honor to present Chris Buckley with the Lee Wulff Atlantic Salmon Conservation Award,” said Mr. Warren. “Chris’s extensive experience in environmental and natural resource litigation has been invaluable in our endeavors to protect wild Atlantic salmon by removing dams and restoring watersheds.”
Buckley has been a frequent lecturer and author with respect to environmental regulatory programs and litigation. He was named one of the best environmental lawyers by Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business; The Best Lawyers in America; Guide to the World's Leading Environmental Lawyers; Who’s Who Legal: USA – Environment; Environment Expert Guide; Washingtonian's Best Environmental Lawyers List; and Washington DC Super Lawyers.
In addition to his responsibilities with ASF, Buckley is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of the Everglades Foundation and the Board of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Law Institute and as President of the Barker Foundation, a non-profit adoption agency in Washington, D.C.
Buckley is a seasoned angler who fishes for tarpon, permit and bonefish in Florida, Atlantic salmon in Canada and Europe, and steelhead trout in British Columbia.
The Lee Wulff Award is presented annually in his memory. Lee Wulff was an angler, artist, author and filmmaker, who dedicated 60 years of his life to conserving wild Atlantic salmon and advocating live-release angling to help safeguard their future.
