Dennis Machida '76 Awarded Posthumously KHLF Public Service Award
The King Hall Legal Foundation (KHLF) awarded the 2007 Alumni Public Service Award posthumously to Dennis Machida '76. Machida, who died in 2005, led the California Tahoe Conservancy since 1985. He helped establish the group in South Lake Tahoe as assistant secretary for legal affairs with the California Resources Agency.
As Executive Director for the Conservancy, he oversaw the acquisition of over 7,400 acres of sensitive land on the California side of Lake Tahoe to be placed in public trust and protected from development for future generations to enjoy. He was responsible for implementing nearly 600 projects, including numerous water quality, wildlife habitat, public access, and recreation projects. This included restoration of trout streams and wetlands and creation of walking trails with interpretive materials about the complex ecology of the area.
Machida also was instrumental in the establishment of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The mission of the organization is to fund environmental preservation projects for 25 million acres in the Sierra Nevada stretching from the Oregon line to north of Bakersfield.
Machida was the eldest of three children of Hideo and Miyako Machida, who were interned during World War II. He grew up in Sacramento where he excelled in sports, public speaking, and student government. He received his bachelor's degree in Government from the University of Redlands, his master's degree from Occidental College, and his law degree from UC Davis School of Law.
KHLF invites alumni and the public to join them in honoring Dennis Machida at this year's Spring Auction to be held on February 23, 2007, at 7:00 pm in Freeborn Hall, UC Davis.
As Executive Director for the Conservancy, he oversaw the acquisition of over 7,400 acres of sensitive land on the California side of Lake Tahoe to be placed in public trust and protected from development for future generations to enjoy. He was responsible for implementing nearly 600 projects, including numerous water quality, wildlife habitat, public access, and recreation projects. This included restoration of trout streams and wetlands and creation of walking trails with interpretive materials about the complex ecology of the area.
Machida also was instrumental in the establishment of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The mission of the organization is to fund environmental preservation projects for 25 million acres in the Sierra Nevada stretching from the Oregon line to north of Bakersfield.
Machida was the eldest of three children of Hideo and Miyako Machida, who were interned during World War II. He grew up in Sacramento where he excelled in sports, public speaking, and student government. He received his bachelor's degree in Government from the University of Redlands, his master's degree from Occidental College, and his law degree from UC Davis School of Law.
KHLF invites alumni and the public to join them in honoring Dennis Machida at this year's Spring Auction to be held on February 23, 2007, at 7:00 pm in Freeborn Hall, UC Davis.