The Wildlife Society (TWS) Distinguished Service Award recognizes TWS members who have made a long-term commitment to the Society based on at least 20 years of membership and their actions to further the mission of the Society. The member is someone who is/was “always there” and could be counted on to serve the chapter, section, or international organization. Since recipients are selected by the Sections, the Distinguished Service Award provides an opportunity to recognize dedicated individuals who have provided exceptional service primarily to Chapters and/or Sections.

The recipient receives an award lapel pin and certificate during the Awards Ceremony at the TWS Annual Conference.

AWARD NOMINATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

To nominate an individual for consideration, click here to learn about the criteria and the nomination process. Nominations must be submitted via email to the executive committee of the nominee’s Section by April 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT. The deadline for Sections to forward their selected recipient to awards@wildlife.org is May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

2023
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Rick Warhurst
2022
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Leonard McDaniel
2021
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Greg Schenbeck
Western Section: Karen Swaim
2020
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Jim Hays
2019
Western Section: Reginald H. Barrett
2018
Western Section: Cynthia G. Perrine
2017
Canadian Section: Robert E. Jones
Northeast Section: Jerry R. Longcore
2016
Canadian Section: Elston H. Dzus
Northwest Section: Blake Murden
Southeastern Section: Stephen V. Rockwood
Southwest Section: Brian L. Hanson
Western Section: William G. Standley
2015
Southeastern Section: Randy Spencer
Canadian Section: Lu Carbyn
Northeast Section: Justin Vreeland
Northwest Section: Warren Aney
Western Section: Jon Hooper
2014
Southeastern Section: Frank Boyd
Canadian Section: George J. Mitchell
Northeast Section: Jerry D. Hassinger
Northwest Section: Ellen Campbell
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Robert D. Wood
Western Section: Bradley Valentine
Southwest Section: Terry L. Blankenship
2013
Canadian Section: Larry Bidlake
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Carl Wolfe
Northeast Section: Ted Nichols
North Central Section: Keith McCaffery
Southwest Section: William Burger
Western Section: Mike Chapel
2012
Canadian Section: Bill Samuel
Central Mountains and Plains Section: Del Benson
Northeast Section: Robert Brooks
Northwest Section: Charlie Bruce
Southeastern Section: Ed Hackett
Southwest Section: Frank Baucom
Western Section: Marshall White