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Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Honored Nationally
The Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a dynamic and dedicated Refuge Friends organization, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year. This honor recognizes their outstanding contributions to community engagement and conservation at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack), which spans Illinois and Wisconsin.
Engineering Equipment Operator Robert Luna Receives 2024 Refuge Employee of the Year Award
Robert Luna knows Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge better than anyone else. As an engineering equipment operator for more than 33 years, Luna has dedicated his life to maintaining the refuge and improving its habitat for plants and animals. In recognition of his innovation, passion, and diligence, Luna was named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Refuge Employee of the Year.
Celebrate 30 Years of Refuge Heroes: Nominate for the 2024 Wildlife Refuge Awards!
It's a momentous year for the National Wildlife Refuge Association and our nation's wildlife wonders! As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Wildlife Refuge Awards this year, we proudly announce the opening of nominations for 2024. These prestigious awards honor the extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting and conserving the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Extraordinary Volunteer Duo Enhances Wildlife Refuges with Passion and Dedication In The Western United States
Mark Ackerman and Joyce Atkinson, the dynamic conservation ambassadors, have left an indelible mark on numerous national wildlife refuges, showcasing their unparalleled dedication and unwavering commitment. Supporting the purposes of 11 national wildlife refuges, including Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Nevada, and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, they have volunteered over 10,000 hours of their time in the past seven years. This extraordinary feat speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment and dedication to supporting refuge programs. Their exceptional contributions have earned them the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award for the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards presented by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
When Feral Hogs Attack, Brad Pendley Fights Back in Missouri’s Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Amidst the thriving wilderness of Williamsville, Missouri, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge faced a pressing challenge: a relentless invasion of feral hogs endangering its precious species and delicate vegetation. Enter Brad Pendley, a dedicated Wildlife Biologist at Mingo NWR since 2009, armed with a visionary solution - eliminate the hog threat to secure the refuge's future for generations to come. Recognizing his game-changing efforts at Mingo NWR and his continued leadership, Pendley has been bestowed with the esteemed 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards - Employee of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association for 2023. Established in 1944 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge serves as a testament to our commitment to wildlife conservation.
Forging A Lasting Bond: Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Bridge Conservation & Community
In the heart of Ohio, a labor of love is unfolding as Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Oak Harbor, Ohio, seamlessly connects conservation and the local community. Their unwavering commitment and enthusiasm have earned them the esteemed Molly Krival Award - Friends Group of the Year for the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, presented by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
Coastal North Carolina Refuges Thrive Under Wildlife Refuge Awards Winner's Leadership
In the capable hands of Rebekah Martin, the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Complex flourishes as a haven for fish, wildlife, and plants. Her dedication and innovative approach have earned her the esteemed title of 2023 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year.
Announcing Our 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Awardees For Outstanding Conservation Achievements
Within the heart of America’s national wildlife refuges lies a commitment to nature and conservation that is essential for the well-being of our communities. We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, recognizing the exceptional contributions made to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Nominations Now Open For The 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards
It's that time of year again! Every year, the National Wildlife Refuge Association honors the exceptional contributions made by the dedicated individuals who support our national wildlife refuges. We are proud to announce the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of refuge managers, employees, volunteers, Friends groups, and advocates.
Wildlife refuge volunteer receives national recognition
Rod Colvin has volunteered at Lassen National Park and Death Valley National Park since retiring in 2016, but his current and longest volunteer stop “got my heart.”
Colvin was named this year’s volunteer of the year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association for his work at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley.
2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards— A Sneak Peek Of What's In Store!
We hope you will join us for our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards hosted in Washington D.C. and live-streamed on September 14th, 2022 starting at 7 pm ET. Check out a preview of the evening by watching the video!
Voices for Nature; Advocates for National Wildlife Refuges
Some of the most outstanding advocates of the National Wildlife Refuge System’s protected public lands will be honored for their contributions on September 14 in Washington, DC. The 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards dinner will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mayflower Hotel. Media is welcome to attend and cover the program and the ceremony will be livestreamed for all to attend across the country.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.