For Immediate Release July 24, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org
Announcing the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards
This year, the National Wildlife Refuge Awards hit the road—celebrated locally, and shared nationwide through a virtual broadcast
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, a beloved tradition recognizing exceptional contributions to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Now more than 30 years strong, the National Wildlife Refuge Awards shine a light on the people and partnerships that make wildlife conservation possible—from refuge staff and volunteers to community leaders and grassroots organizations.
This year rather than a national dinner, we’re bringing the awards back to the refuges—honoring each recipient through heartfelt, in-person events hosted where each awardee has made their mark on the landscape. Footage from these local celebrations will be featured in an inspiring virtual broadcast on November 20, 2025 starting at 7:00 pm ET, connecting these stories to a national audience of refuge supporters, partners, and policymakers.
Meet the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards Recipients:
2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year
Andrew Gude, Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, Florida
Refuge Celebration: November 7, 2025
2025 Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group of the Year
Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia
Refuge Celebration: October 7, 2025
2025 Refuge Employee of the Year
Dartha Campbell, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia
Refuge Celebration: October 28, 2025
2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year
Carl Zenger, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York
Refuge Celebration: October 15, 2025
“Calling awardees to let them know they’ve been selected is hands down, the best part of my job,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Over the years, I’ve had the joy of seeing so many incredible people honored—people who don’t do this work for recognition, but whose dedication is the backbone of the Refuge System. These awards are a highlight of the year for me, our staff, and our board, and a powerful reminder of the heart that drives this conservation community.”
“When I keynoted the National Wildlife Refuge Awards last year, I was reminded of something I’ve seen again and again over the years,” said Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and former Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “There’s often surprise from audiences when they realize how many people care—really care—about our national wildlife refuges. But those of us who’ve worked alongside refuge staff, volunteers, and community partners know the truth: these places endure because of human hands and human heart. The awards honor that care, that commitment. They remind us that conservation is a collective act—and that it depends on people showing up, day after day.”
Help celebrate these remarkable achievements by sponsoring the events! Download our sponsor packet here or contact Courtney Phelan at cphelan@refugeassociation.org to get involved.
To explore past winners and learn more about this year’s celebrations, visit refugeassociation.org/awards.
###
As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 560 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.