PRESS RELEASES
Andrew Gude Named Recipient of the 2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Andrew Gude has been named recipient of the 2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards. The annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s only network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Dartha Campbell Named Recipient of the 2025 Refuge Employee of the Year
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Dartha Campbell has been named recipient of the 2025 Refuge Employee of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, now in their 31st year. The annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s largest network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Carl Zenger Named Recipient of the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Carl Zenger has been named recipient of the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, now in their 31st year. The Refuge Association’s annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s largest network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends Named Recipient of the 2025 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends has been named recipient of the 2025 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, now in their 31st year. The Refuge Association’s annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s largest network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Announcing the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards
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.
Robert Luna Honored As 2024 Refuge Employee Of The Year For His Outstanding Service At Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Robert Luna, an Engineering Equipment Operator at Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge in Washington, has been named the 2024 Refuge Employee of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. This award recognizes Robert's exceptional contributions to the refuge, highlighting his innovation, outstanding job performance, and dedication to wildlife conservation.
Wayne Selfridge Honored As 2024 Refuge Volunteer Of The Year For His Exemplary Service At Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
Wayne Selfridge, a dedicated volunteer at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Maine, has been named the 2024 Refuge Volunteer of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. This award recognizes Wayne's outstanding contributions to the operation and management of the refuge, highlighting his extraordinary commitment, leadership, and innovative problem-solving.
Okefenokee Protection Alliance Honored As Refuge Advocate Of The Year For 2024
The Okefenokee Protection Alliance (OPA) has been named the 2024 Refuge Advocate of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. This award recognizes OPA's extraordinary accomplishments in protecting the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia from the threat of mining operations and their unwavering commitment to conservation.
Friends Of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Awarded Molly Krival Award For Exemplary Community Engagement & Conservation Efforts
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, which spans Illinois and Wisconsin.
David Lucas Transforms Colorado Front Range Refuges: Paul Kroegel Award Winner
Under the exceptional stewardship of David Lucas, the Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex, encompassing the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Two Ponds, and Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuges, stands out for its conservation excellence and urban community engagement. David Lucas’s innovative leadership has earned him the prestigious 2024 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year.