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Awards Presentations

The Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the NWF/Affiliate partnerships.

WINNER:
John Goss, Indiana Wildlife Federation

John Goss, Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, works tirelessly for conservation in a state not historically in favor of climate change legislation. John encourages open lines of communication and works hard with his board to find common ground and to build consensus on issues of importance for wildlife. John showed great leadership in partnering with NWF and other affiliates on Climate Security Act advocacy and ensuring quick passage of the Great Lakes Compact. He successfully motivated stakeholders to contact their Congressional representatives and urge their legislative support on these important issues. John is a tireless advocate for conservation, always accessible, responsive and ready to work for conservation victories.

Affiliate of the Year, a National Conservation Achievement Award, recognizes NWF affiliate organizations for conservation accomplishments and contributions to collaborative efforts with NWF and its supporters.

WINNER:
New Mexico Wildlife Federation

New Mexico Wildlife Federation (NMWF), founded in 1914 by Aldo Leopold and other conservation-minded sportsmen, is New Mexico's first and most effective conservation advocate. NMWF led the way in bringing back elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, wild turkey, and other wildlife species to their state. They spearheaded efforts to save species like pronghorn from extirpation and were also instrumental in designating the world's first wilderness area: the Gila Wilderness. Some of NMWF's more recent successes include strenghthening their Action Alert member base from 0 members to nearly 9,000 over three years; leading the coalition in suppport of the Valle Vidal Preservation Act; securing support for 1872 Mining Act reform from federal and state legislators, city councils and county commissions; advocacy for responsible energy development in the state of New Mexico; and spearheading efforts in the west that encourage Congress to make oil and gas and other energy reforms a top priority. New Mexico Wildlife Federation is developing and implementing innovative ways to engage legislators, management agencies and the private lands community on issues of conservation and public access. Filling a niche that few in the west are even aware of, NMWF is blazing the trail and creatinig a proud model to emulate at the state level.

The National Conservation Achievement Award for Special Achievement recognizes individuals for exemplary conservation achievement.

WINNERS:
Tony Dean, South Dakota
Cheryl "Charlee" Lockwood, Alaska

Tony Dean
Producer and host of the Tony Dean Outdoors television production and the radio show Dakota Backroads, Tony Dean used these venues to promote NWF causes and inspired people to listen and act. Revered as a legend in the Northern Plain states, Tony Dean repeatedly donated his image, reputation and incredible messaging skills by participating in fly-ins, providing valuable input on publications, engaging in global warming, farm bill and mining campaigns, and lending his voice to NWF's Waterfowler's Guide to Global Warming. Dean's voice on Capitol Hill echoed the hunting and angling community's climate concerns and afforded NWF many successes, including providing key testimony to the House Committee on Natural Resources for sensible mining reform. We lost a dear conservation friend on October 19, 2008, but Tony's voice and selfless conservation dedication rings clear as his inspiration continues to encourage hunters and anglers to engage their senators and representatives on key conservation issues.

Cheryl "Charlee" Lockwood, Alaska
Activist and global warming advocate, Cheryl "Charlee" Lockwood became aware of the impacts of global warming as a student member of NWF's Alaska Youth for Environmental Action program when she was a sophomore in high school. Charlee is Yupik Eskimo from the village of St. Michael, Alaska, and her actions on global warming and efforts to protect both the people and wildlife of Alaska are unprecedented. Charlee traveled far north and south collecting signatures from more than 150 villages and cities in Alaska asking for political action on global warming. Charlee met with members of Congress and was responsible for at least 1,000 of the 5,000 youth signatures collected through a global warming youth petition. Charlee's self-determination led her to meet with climate scientists to further understand global warming's impact on Alaska wildlife and environment. Charlee participated in NWF's 2006 Tribal Climate Change Conference, PowerShift in 2007, was selected to be the Alaskan representative during an Energy Action Coalition public youth testimony before a Select Committee on global warming, and provided testimony during Alaska Youth for Environmental Action's Civics and Conservation Summit in 2008. Charlee's actions on global warming led her to receive the Alaska Conservation Foundation'a Denny Wilcher Award for outstanding high school activism. Charlee is currently working as a teacher in St. Michael. Charlee's tenacity and desire to educate youth shows that local determination can cultivate state and national action.

The NWF Volunteer of the Year is given to stellar volunteers in recognition of their success in leading restoration work in their communities. The Award is one way NWF shows appreciation for volunteers' contributions and their dedication to protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.

WINNERS:

NWF Volunteer of the Year
Kathy Lewis - East Liverpool, OH

Wildlife and conservation advocate Kathy Lewis has been adept at promoting the goals of NWF's Community Wildlife Habitat programs. She has raised awareness, particularly among children, about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats and by connecting people to nature. President of Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center in East Liverpool, Ohio, Kathy has led 34 programs to over 1,200 adults and children through her Literacy Ambassador Program. She reaches out to the citizens in her community, as well as government agencies and private organizations, while simultaneously reaching inward to foster self-learning. Kathy has completed 10 courses through NWF University and frequently attends workshops and symposia. Her selfless efforts to share her knowledge with others are inspirational, as she will say to those she teaches, "When outdoors you are in the homes of plants and animals. You do not need to fear, but you do need to respect." Kathy's aspirations to connect people to nature stem from her willingness to foster community outreach and promote wildlife education awareness.

Affiliate Volunteer of the Year
Peg Baseden - Wilmington, DE

Peg Baseden began volunteering with the National Wildlife Federation in the early 1990s and with its affiliate, the Delaware Nature Society in 2001, shortly after becoming one of National Wildlife Federation's on-the-ground troops assisting homeowners, businesses and others to create wildlife friendly gardens in their backyard. Peg has actively promoted and implemented the goals of NWF's Green Hour, Backyard Habitat and Schoolyard Habitat programs by connecting people to nature through her extensive educational outreach. Peg strengthens conservation action in her community by encouraging social collaboration and connection, actively engaging with local and state agencies and schools to enhance conservation initiatives. She understands the value of stakeholder and constituent participation and the role of engaging others to promote her conservation ethic. A secret to Peg's success is creating enduring partnerships while promoting environmental awareness to leverage success in Delaware. Peg shines brightest in her pursuit to connect people to nature.

Community Volunteer of the Year
Rich Bergner - Anacortes, WA

Rich Bergner is an enthusiastic and tireless team leader of the Fidalgo Island/Anacortes Community Wildlife Habitat project in Anacortes, Washington. In less than three years, Rich and his team achieved National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat certification for Fidalgo Island/ Anacortes; making it the 26^th community certified in the nation, and the fourth in Washington State. Through Bergner's leadership, Fidalgo Island/Anacortes citizens were inspired to create wildlife friendly habitats for homes, businesses, schools and other sites. In total, 572 sites have been certified by NWF, including 219 homes, four schools, six places of worship, 17 businesses, a senior center and six parks. Rich devotes his volunteer energy to promote the use of native plants and to pursue overall ecosystem health and sustainability of Fidalgo Island. Rich and his team formed a strong partnership with NWF's Western Regional Center in Seattle and seven other agencies and several non-profits to achieve their goals.