Now Accepting Nominations for the 2006 Annual Awards of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

More often than not, the hard work of our colleagues, staff, and friends goes high above and beyond the norm. There's no better way to honor these achievements than to nominate them for the Association's 2006 Annual Awards.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is glad to announce its annual call for nominations for the Seth Gordon Award, the Ernest Thompson Seton Award, the Mark Reeff Memorial Award, the Boone and Crockett Award, and the Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award.  Nominations for Honorary Life Memberships and Special Recognition Citations are also appropriate at this time.  The awards will be presented at the Association's Annual Meeting at the Silvertree Hotel in Snowmass , Colorado , September 17-22.  Click here to view pictures of last year's winners.

Your Nominations are Worth the Effort

Recognition of outstanding work is very important as all too often, outstanding work goes unrecognized.  The Awards program allows the Association to assist you in recognizing outstanding achievement by your employees.  The Committee is making an extra effort to recognize outstanding work; a nomination in itself is a statement of recognition and worth the effort!  

How to Nominate

Following is a complete description of award criteria for all Governmental, Affiliate and Contributing Members—also available on the Association's website. Nominations should be forwarded to Wayne MacCallum, by phone/fax/mail/e-mail no later than Monday, July 3, 2006.  Please note that you do not need to have all of the supporting nomination write-ups at the time of submission (July 1, 2006) if you are unable to provide it. Simply give the committee a name we should consider, and follow up as soon as possible with the additional materials needed.

Send to:         

Wayne MacCallum, Director
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
One Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough , MA 01581

Phone: 508/792-7270 x143
Fax: 508/792-7275
email: wayne.macallum@state.ma.us .

Award Descriptions

Award descriptions and criteria are also available online.  

The Seth Gordon Award , the Association's highest honor, is conferred on Administrators who have worked steadfastly and effectively for the best use of North American natural resources in the public trust and for contributions to the programs of the Association.

The Ernest Thompson Seton Award is given to the state, provincial, or federal agency which has best promoted a public awareness of the need to support the science and practice of wildlife management.  A companion award is also presented to the individual deemed by the agency as the one most responsible for its successful and award-winning program.

The Boone and Crockett Award, now in year 18, is sponsored by the Boone and Crockett Club and is awarded annually to a state, territorial or provincial agency for outstanding achievement in promoting and encouraging outdoor ethics.  A companion award is given to the individual who has been the prime mover in the recognized program.

The Mark Reeff Award offers a unique opportunity to recognize a young professional.  This award focuses on people under 35 for outstanding service in the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.

For the Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award, the nominee must be actively engaged in a farming or ranching business as owner, lessee, or operator-manager.  The land must be under private ownership or control, and the nominee must have made the decisions about land management activities for a minimum of 5 years.  At least 50 percent of the land under ownership or control must be devoted to farming or ranching.

The Special Recognition Award and Honorary Life Membership are given to individuals who have a distinguished record of accomplishment.