2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards

Call For Nominations - Deadline Monday, June 1st, 2026

2026 Nomination Guidelines

The Nomination Deadline For the 2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards is Monday, June 1st, 2026

Previously submitted nominations may be updated and resubmitted. If you know someone who has been nominated before but not selected, we encourage you to nominate them again.

If you have any questions not covered in our Nomination Guidelines, please contact Debbie Harwood at dharwood@refugeassociation.org.

• Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year

  This award recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a refuge manager or project leader in the protection and management of our national wildlife refuges.

• Refuge Employee of the Year

This award recognizes the outstanding work of the men and women employed by the Refuge System.

• Refuge Volunteer of the Year

This awardrecognizes the outstanding accomplishments of volunteers in support of the operation and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

• Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group of the Year

This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of the groups of dedicated volunteers in Friends organizations who provide essential services to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

• Refuge Advocate of the Year

This award recognizes people who are not Refuge employees, volunteers, or in Friends groups who have played a significant role in advocating to protect a refuge from external forces.