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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.
Refuge's Natalie Fath wins national honor
For years volunteer coordinator encouraged folks to lace up their boots and pitch in.
2021 Refuge Awards: Ensuring Safety
The National Wildlife Refuge Association's annual Refuge Awards brings together supporters and lovers of our National Wildlife Refuge System. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Refuge System staff, leaders, volunteers, supporting groups, and advocates. It is a chance to celebrate those who make the National Wildlife Refuge System the greatest network of conservation lands and waters in the world.
In 2021, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is still planning on holding this event in person. But we will be implementing protocols for safety.
Outstanding individual and group efforts recognized at annual Refuge Awards program by the National Wildlife Refuge Association
Since 1994, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has honored the outstanding accomplishments by refuge managers, refuge employees, volunteers, Friends groups, and refuge advocates through our Refuge System Awards program. The National Wildlife Refuge System depends on the dedication of individuals and groups like this year’s award winners to manage, protect, promote, and enhance the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.
Mary Weiler and Kevin Weiler named National Volunteers of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association
Mary Weiler and Kevin Weiler; volunteers at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, FL, have been named the country’s outstanding 2021 Volunteers of the Year, by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The award, given annually, recognizes outstanding accomplishments of volunteers in support of the operation and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Natalie Fath Named 2021 National Wildlife Refuge System Employee of the Year
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has named Natalie Fath, Visitor’s Center Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at National Elk Refuge near Jackson, Wyoming as the 2021 National Wildlife Refuge System Employee of the Year. This award recognizes the outstanding work of the men and women employed by the NWRS and is awarded to a current refuge employee whose accomplishments are judged to be the most outstanding of the candidates nominated.
Steve Berendzen Named Refuge Manager of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association
Steve Berendzen, Refuge Manager at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Complex based in Alaska, was named the country’s outstanding Refuge Manager for 2021 by the National Wildlife Refuge Association in Washington, DC. This award recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a refuge manager (project leader) in the protection and management of our national wildlife refuges. The award is given each year in honor of Paul Kroegel, the first manager of the first refuge established in 1903 at Pelican Island, Florida. His dedication and effectiveness set a high standard for those who have followed.
Wayne Hubbard Announced As Master Ceremonies for National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Annual Refuge Awards
The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s annual Refuge Awards will be presented by the host and producer of the award-winning program: Urban American Outdoors, Mr. Wayne Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard is an active member of the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s board of directors.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association Announces 2021 Refuge Awards
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Refuge Awards, presented by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. This year’s award recipients are:
Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of the Year: Steve Berendzen, Arctic NWR (AK)
Refuge Employee of the Year: Natalie Fath, National Elk Refuge (WY)
Molly Krival Refuge Friends Group of the Year: Friends of St Marks Wildlife Refuge (FL)
Refuge Volunteer of the Year: Mary Weiler and Kevin Weiler, Merritt Island NWR (FL)
Refuge Advocate of the Year: Jose Witt, Shaaron Netherton, Friends of Nevada Wilderness (NV)
The National Wildlife Refuge Association Postpones The 2020 Refuge System Awards
Due to concerns related to COVID-19, the National Wildlife Refuge Associations is postponing the Refuge System Awards scheduled for April 2, 2020. In the wake of the cancellation, the Refuge Association will begin planning for the 2020 Refuge System Awards to be held at a later date.
2020 National Wildlife Refuge System Award Winners Announced
The 2020 National Wildlife Refuge System Award Winners have been announced! The National Wildlife Refuge Association could not be more excited to present these deserving individuals and group with the prestigious Refuge System Awards.