National Wildlife Refuge Awards
Past Award Recipients
Since 1994, the National Wildlife Refuge Awards have celebrated the people and organizations whose dedication strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Explore the refuge managers, employees, volunteers, and Refuge Friends groups who have made a lasting difference for wildlife and our public lands.
Explore The Archive
Browse recipients by decade, or revisit the 2020–2025 awards celebrations through the event links below.
2020s Award Recipients
2020–2025
2025 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
Andrew Gude; Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, Florida.
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Dartha Campbell; Budget Analyst; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
Refuge Volunteer Of The Year
Carl Zenger; Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York.
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Virginia.
2024 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
David Lucas; Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Colorado.
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Robert Luna; Engineering Equipment Operator; Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge, Washington.
Refuge Volunteer Of The Year
Wayne Selfridge; Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, Maine.
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Refuge Advocate Of The Year
Okefenokee Protection Alliance for their work at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
2023 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
Rebekah P. Martin, Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Complex, North Carolina
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Brad Pendley, Wildlife Biologist, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri
Refuge Volunteers Of The Year
Mark Ackerman & Joyce Atkinson; Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado; Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Nevada; and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio
2022 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
Michael Johnson, Clarks River and Green River National Wildlife Refuges, Kentucky
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Federal Wildlife Officer Robert Peloquin, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Nevada
Volunteer Of The Year
Rodney “Rod” Colvin, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility, Nevada
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, Southern California
Refuge Advocate Of The Year
David Raskin, for his work with Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuges
2021 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
Steve Berendzen, Refuge Manager, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Natalie Fath, Visitor’s Center Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, National Elk Refuge, Wyoming
Volunteer Of The Year
Mary & Kevin Weiler, Volunteers, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Read The 2021 Awards Announcement →
Refuge Advocate Of The Year
Jose Witt & Shaaron Netherton, for their Work at Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Read The 2021 Awards Announcement →
2020 Recipients
Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager Of The Year
Greg Austin, Refuge Manager, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California
Read The 2020 Awards Announcement →
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Victor “Vic” Doig, Fire Management Officer, Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, Florida
Read The 2020 Awards Announcement →
Volunteer Of The Year
Jan Crocker, Volunteer, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts
Read The 2020 Awards Announcement →
Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group Of The Year
The Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa
Read The 2020 Awards Announcement →
2010s Award Recipients
2010–2019
2019 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Manager, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Washington,
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Eric S. Johnson, Administrative Forester, Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Arkansas
Volunteer Of The Year
Harold Fairfield II, Volunteer, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Tennessee NWR, Tennessee
Refuge Advocate Award
Allen Williams, For His Work at Santa Ana NWR and the Lower Rio Grande Valley national wildlife refuges, Texas
2018 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Andy Loranger, Refuge Manager Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California
Volunteer Of The Year
Claire Goad, Volunteer at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, New York
Friends Group Of The Year
The Friends of Necedah NWR in Wisconsin
Refuge Advocate Award
Celeste De Palma, For Her Work at Arthur R. Loxahatchee NWR
2017 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Kevin Godsea, Refuge Manager Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Dale Pittman, Regional Heavy Equipment Coordinator for Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Illinois
Volunteer Of The Year
Richard Esker, Volunteer at Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia
Friends Group Of The Year
The Friends of Trempealeau NWR in Wisconsin
2016 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Dr. Keith Weaver, project leader at Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Arkansas
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Douglas M. Head II, assistant zone biologist at Texas Chenier Plain Refuges Complex, Texas Mid-Coast Refuge Complex, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Volunteer Of The Year
Ann Humphrey, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific Islands
Friends Group Of The Year
The Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota
2015 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Tom Kerr, refuge manager, St. Croix Wetland Management District and Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin
Refuge Employee Of The Year
John Vradenburg, supervisory biologist, Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico
Volunteer Of The Year
Wiley ‘Dub’ Lyon, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico
2014 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Andy Yuen, San Diego National Wildlife Refuges Complex, California
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Kenneth McCain, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, FL
Volunteer Of The Year
Bob and Sharon Waldrop, Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Tualatin River Refuge, OR
2013 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Andy French, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Stewart B. McKinney NWR and John Hay NWR
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Jackie Jacobson, Audubon NWR, ND
Volunteer Of The Year
Bob Ebeling, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of the Maga Ta-Hophi Waterfowl Production Area, SD
2012 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Charlie Pelizza, Pelican Island NWRC, FL
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Kathleen O’Brien, Rachel Carson NWR, ME
Volunteer Of The Year
David Govatski, Silvio O Conte NF&WR, MA
Friends Group Of The Year
Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, Alligator River and Pea Island NWRs, NC
2011 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Kenneth Litzenberger of Southeast Louisiana NWRC, LA
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Dave Mauser of Klamath Basin NWRC, CA
Volunteer Of The Year
Denis Mudderman of Tamarac NWR, MN
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Chassahowitzka NWRC, FL
2010 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Kevin Foerster of Sacramento NWRC, CA
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Vernon Byrd of Alaska Maritime NWR, AK
Volunteer Of The Year
Zeeger de Wilde of Chesapeake Marshlands NWRC, MD & VA
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Alaska NWRs, AK
2000s Award Recipients
2000–2009
2009 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Greg Siekaniec of Alaska Maritime NWR, AK
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Baron Horiuchi of Hakalau Forest NWR, HI
Volunteer Of The Year
Marie Springer of Walkill River NWR, NJ
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Pool 9, Upper Mississippi River NW&FR – McGregor District, IA
2008 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Kevin Brennan of Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, MN
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Clyde Morris of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR, CA
Volunteer Of The Year
John Bertrand of Bosque del Apache NWR, NM
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Sherburne NWR, MN
2007 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Don Hultman of Upper Mississippi River NF&WR
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Bill Giese of Blackwater NWR, MD
Volunteer Of The Year
Marion Sansing of Noxubee NWRC, MS
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of San Luis Valley NWR’s, CA
2006 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Glenn Carowan of Chesapeake Marsh NWRC, VA and MD
Refuge Employee Of The Year
John Schomaker, Division of Conservation Planning, Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region
Volunteer Of The Year
Tim Anderson of Seal Beach NWR, CA
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Great Swamp NWR, NJ
2005 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Roy W. Lowe of Oregon Coast NWRC, OR
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Laura Brandt of A.R.M. Loxahatche NWR, FL
Volunteer Of The Year
Ervin Davis of National Bison Range, MT
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Black Bayou, LA
2004 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Michael Bryant of Alligator River NWRC, NC
Refuge Employee Of The Year
John Taylor of Bosque del Apache NWR, NM
Volunteer Of The Year
Ken and Darlene Fiske of “Ding” Darling NWR, FL
Friends Group Of The Year
Chincoteague Natural History Association, VA
2003 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Michael Rearden of Yukon Delta NWR, AK
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Anne Blakely of National Elk Refuge, WY
Volunteer Of The Year
Jim Montgomery of Bitter Lake NWR, NM
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Blackwater, MD
2002 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Ron Bisbee of Texas Mid-Coast NWRs, Texas
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Kristine Askerooth of Tewaukon NWR, North Dakota
Volunteer Of The Year
Melissa Owen of Buenos Aires NWR, Arizona
Friends Group Of The Year
Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society of Alligator River and Pea Island NWRs, North Carolina
2001 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Al Trout of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah
Refuge Employee Of The Year
David Jamiel of Two Ponds NWR, Colorado
Volunteer Of The Year
Harry Sanders of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR, California
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges, IA, IL, MN, WI
2000 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Mark Musaus of A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, Florida
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Ron Phernetton of Okefenokee NWR, Georgia
Volunteers Of The Year
Paul and Ann Smith of Chincoteague NWR, Virginia
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of the Rydell Refuge Association, MN
1990s Award Recipients
1994–1999
1999 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Dean Rundle of the San Diego Refuge Complex, California
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Matthew Magoffin of San Bernardino NWR, Arizona
Volunteers Of The Year
Bill Milling, Elaine Wilmers, and Harold and Susan Nugent of National Key Deer NWR, Florida
Friends Group Of The Year
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society of the J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Florida
1998 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Jay R. Bellinger of Kodiak NWR, Alaska
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Sharon Ware of Monomoy NWR, Massachusetts
Volunteer Of The Year
Molly Krival of J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Florida
Friends Group Of The Year
Friends of Minnesota Valley NWR, MN
1997 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Louis Hinds of J.N.Ding Darling NWR, Florida
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Jack Jeffrey of Hakalau NWR, Hawaii
Volunteers Of The Year
Judy Dryja of Merritt Island NWR, Florida; and Bill Buchanan of John Heinz NWR, Pennsylvania
1996 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Phil Norton of Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Thomas V. Stehn of Aransas NWR, Texas
Volunteers Of The Year
Richard “Don” Perry of Pea Island and Alligator River NWRs, North Carolina
1995 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
John Schroer of Chincoteague NWR, Virginia
Refuge Employee Of The Year
Gary Sullivan of Benton Lake NWR, Montana
Volunteers Of The Year
Karl W. Haller of Hagerman NWR, Texas; and Molly P. Brown of Back Bay NWR, Virginia
1994 Recipients
Refuge Manager Of The Year
Steve Thompson of Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas
Volunteer Of The Year
Richard D. Van Deman of Nisqually NWR, Washington