Dedicated Individuals
Every year, during its Annual Meeting, the Association awards outstanding individuals for their efforts in wildlife management and conservation. This year’s award recipients are:
Ernest Thompson Seton Award-winner, Steve Gray
The Ohio Division of Wildlife and their Director, Steve Gray, have been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) prestigious Ernest Thompson Seton Award. The award is presented annually to the state, provincial, or federal agency that has publicly promoted the need for scientific management of wildlife resources. The Award was presented during the 95th IAFWA Annual Meeting (Sept. 11-16) in Nashville, TN.
Qualifications for award winners require that the agency promote the scientific management of wildlife resources by bringing to the attention of the public the need for and benefits of scientific wildlife management; and to recognize the agency which has taken a strong position in support of the integrity of its professional program. This may include any outstanding form of information distribution such as radio, television, newspapers, or other publications. It also may include such things as exhibitions, lectures, public forums, advertising campaigns or projects regularly supportive action by the public. Gray and the Ohio Division of Wildlife were acknowledged by this award for creativity and sustainability of their entire public awareness program.
Mark J. Reeff Award-winner, Josh Avey
Josh Avey, of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) Mark J. Reeff Memorial Award. The award, for dedication to wildlife, youth, landowners and natural resources, was presented at the Annual Meeting of International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies held Sept. 11-16.
The hallmark of the Mark J. Reeff Memorial Award is to acknowledge good ideas pursued with dedication and persistence. Each year, the award is presented to an individual who is 35 years-old or younger, and has distinguished themselves by outstanding commitment to wildlife management. The award was designed by IAFWA to acknowledge and encourage younger professionals to "address the myriad of issues they now face, ever-increasing in range and complexity, with a spirit of innovation and determination." Particular recognition is due to those who willingly accept more difficult challenges, and inspire others to do the same.
Landowner Stewardship Award-winner, Stan Kimbell and Family
The Kimbell Ranches in Oklahoma have been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) prestigious Landowner Stewardship Award. The award is presented annually to landowners who make a significant and positive conservation impact on a large area of privately owned land. The award was presented at the IAFWA Annual Meeting held Sept. 11-16 in Nashville, TN.
On both of their two ranch properties, the Kimbell family uses economically sustainable and conservation-friendly agricultural practices (grazing, systems, pasture rotation, row crop rotation, terracing, low input/no till, manure management, etc). Always conscious of fish and wildlife management practices, they are also careful to incorporate habitat management practices such as timber management, prescribed burning, brush control, pond management, stream/wetland restoration and improvement, integrated pest management, and much more (see attached nomination).
Lifetime Achievement Award-winner, Gary T. Myers
The Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Gary T. Myers, has been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) first Lifetime Achievement Award. This national award is presented to an outstanding individual who has dedicated their life making progressive and effective contributions to natural resource management in North America. The award was presented at the Annual Meeting of International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies held (Sept. 11- Sept. 16) in Nashville, TN.
Myers’ successful career in fish and wildlife spans more than 30 years, and is marked with qualities and contribution that made him an outstanding leader. He has been a professional wildlife resource administrator since he became Assistant Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in May 1974. He was employed earlier by the Colorado Division of Wildlife after completing his degree at Colorado State University with a M.S. in Wildlife Management in 1963. He became Acting Director in Tennessee on August 11, 1977, and Executive Director on February 10, 1978.
Seth Gordon Award-winner, Steve Williams
Former Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Williams, has been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) prestigious Seth Gordon Award. Every year, the national award is presented to an outstanding individual who has dedicated their life making progressive and effective contributions to natural resource management in North America. The award was presented at the Annual Meeting of International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies held (Sept. 11- Sept. 16) in Nashville, TN.
Williams began more than 20 years ago as a wildlife biologist specializing in white-tailed deer management for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, where he developed the protocol and models for establishing deer permit numbers that are still in use today. He quickly rose through the ranks to become Assistant Director for Wildlife, before moving on to become Deputy Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1992 to 1995. From there, we served as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) for six years, where he gained a national reputation for innovative leadership–encouraging the use of new technologies, including one the nation’s first online licensing and permit system.
Special Recognition Award-winner, Dr. John Fischer
Dr. John Fischer of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, has been awarded the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) Special Recognition Award. Every year, the award is presented to an individual who has distinguished themselves by outstanding commitment to wildlife management. Sometimes this is in the form of dedication to a single critical effort, but many times recognition is noted for a career-long history of achievement. The award was presented at the Annual Meeting of International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies held during the week of Sept/11-16, in Nashville, TN.
Fischer has held a leadership position on the IAFWA Fish and Wildlife Health Committee for several years and was particularly involved in the drafting and design of the federal-state Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) National Plan and Implementation Strategy. He has several times accompanied state fish and wildlife directors or IAFWA staff in their testimony before Congress, providing our representatives with technical assistance on wildlife disease issues. He is the principal liaison between the US Department of Agriculture and all of the state fish and wildlife agencies on Foreign Animal Diseases.
Law Enforcement Award - Wyoming
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