Wildlife Refuge Awards

Join Us For Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Inspiring Leadership In Conservation

Join Us For Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Inspiring Leadership In Conservation

We are excited to announce that our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards ceremony is going virtual! The in-person event held on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022 at 7 pm ET will be live-streamed free.

Since 1994, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has presented the Wildlife Refuge Awards to honor the outstanding contributions of Refuge employees, friends, and volunteers. This year, we will celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of awardees in five categories: the Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of the Year, the Refuge Employee of the Year, the Refuge Volunteer of the Year, the Molly Krival Refuge Friends Group of the Year, and the Refuge Advocate.

Alaska’s ‘Voice’ to Protect Wildlife

Alaska’s ‘Voice’ to Protect Wildlife

In Alaska, there may be no bigger voice than David Raskin when it comes to ensuring thriving wildlife populations and protection for the places they call home. For David’s passion and years of service in his role as co-founder, Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges, a group that supports all 16 of Alaska’s national wildlife refuges, he has recently been named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2022 Refuge Advocate Awardee.

Kentucky ‘Pioneer’ Protects Nature, Creates Wildlife Vision

Kentucky ‘Pioneer’ Protects Nature, Creates Wildlife Vision

In November 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established just the second National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) fully located in Kentucky.  Despite historic opposition to a greater federal presence in the state, the Green River NWR became the Nation’s 568th unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a direct result of the exceptional vision and communication of Michael Johnson. 

Henderson man, 'face of wildlife refuge in Kentucky,' earns national honor

Henderson man, 'face of wildlife refuge in Kentucky,' earns national honor

From among the country’s more than 560 national wildlife refuges, the manager of the new Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Henderson County, Kentucky has been honored as the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Paul Kroegel- Refuge Manager of the Year.

Conservation has a ‘Friend’ in Southern California

Conservation has a ‘Friend’ in Southern California

Volunteers make the world work….better. Thanks to the Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (Friends) in Southern California, more people are learning about the refuge and why it’s so vital to its nearby communities. This group's countless hours of service and its long-term commitment to nature and conservation earned the Friends the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2022 Molly Krival— Refuge Friends Group of the Year Award.

On His Watch, National Wildlife Refuge System Remains Safe For All To Explore

On His Watch, National Wildlife Refuge System Remains Safe For All To Explore

Don’t mess with the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). If you do, Federal Wildlife Officer Robert Peloquin of Las Vegas is there to set you straight, with education, awareness and dignity. For his 20 years of service at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex (DNWRC), dedication to the Refuge System and his record of accomplishments, Robert was recently named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Employee of the Year.

‘Rock’ Solid with 8,938 Volunteer Hours Benefiting Wildlife in Nevada

‘Rock’ Solid with 8,938 Volunteer Hours Benefiting Wildlife in Nevada

Don’t tell Rod Colvin to find a hobby. With the number of hours he dedicates to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Nevada, spare time is limited, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Rod was recently named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year. He will be recognized for this honor at the Wildlife Refuge Awards dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, September 14, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC at 6 p.m. Media is welcome to attend and cover the program.

Announcing Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Five Awardees for Conservation Accomplishments

Announcing Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Five Awardees for Conservation Accomplishments

Within the hustle and bustle of everyday life lies a world of nature and conservation that is vital to the vibrancy of its surrounding communities. Although many of us have not yet experienced the peace and serenity of a national wildlife refuge, we are all fortunate that there are those who dedicate their lives to the preservation of these wild and unique places.

2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards Nominations Now Open!

2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards Nominations Now Open!

Every year, the National Wildlife Refuge Association honors the outstanding accomplishments by refuge managers, refuge employees, volunteers, Friends Groups, and refuge advocates through our Refuge System Awards program. Today, we begin accepting nominations for our 2022 National Wildlife Refuge Awards. The deadline for nominations is March 7th, 2022.

Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge earn Molly Krival 2021 Friends Group of the Year Award

Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge earn Molly Krival 2021 Friends Group of the Year Award

It’s a popular spot to enjoy nature in North Florida, and now, the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge has received national attention. The Friends of St. Marks won a major award: Friends Group of the Year.