Every year AZTWS presents our annual awards at the Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) of the Arizona and New Mexico Chapters of the Wildlife and Fisheries Societies. We encourage our members to nominate deserving people or organizations for these annual awards. Our chapter is privileged each year to receive numerous nominations for well-deserving individuals working in the wildlife management field. Below are summaries of each award, and the history of awardees that have been recognized for their outstanding achievements.
Doug Morrison Award
The Doug Morrison Award is given to an Arizona Biologist in a non-supervisory position who has made significant contributions to the management and conservation of wildlife in Arizona. This Award exemplifies the dedicated work ethic of the Chapter’s former President and U.S. Forest Service Biologist, Doug Morrison and is given in his memory. Contributions are in areas of wildlife research, education, and training, management, or law enforcement.
1975 – Fred Phillips, AGFD
1976 – Bobby Hernbrode, Jr., AGFD
1977 – Jim McKibbens, USFS
1978 – Melvin Wilhelm, BLM and Normal Woolsey, AGFD
1979 – Tom Waddell, AGFD
1980 – Al LeCount, AGFD
1981 – Pat Morrison, USFS
1982 – Bill Kepner and Brian Millsap, BLM
1983 – Tom Deecken, USFS
1984 – Pat O’Brien, AGFD
1985 – Jim Burton, AGFD
1986 – not awarded
1987 – Norris Dodd, AGFD
1988 – Bill Kepner, USFWS
1989 – Bill Carrel, AGFD
1990 – Steve Andrews, AGFD
1991 – Dave Conrad and John Hervert, AGFD
1992 – not awarded
1993 – not awarded
1994 – not awarded
1995 – not awarded
1996 – Lee Leudeker, AGFD
1997 – not awarded
1998 – Randy Babb, AGFD
1999 – Bob Barsch, AGFD
2000 – Dave Carrothers, AGFD
2001 – Stanley C. Cunningham, AGFD
2002 – John Hervert, AGFD
2003 – Art Fuller, AGFD Retired
2004 – not awarded
2005 – not awarded
2006 – James W. Cain III, UA
2007 – David Belitsky, AGFD
2008 – Henry Provencio, USFS
2009 – Janie Agyagos, USFS
2010 – Reed Sanderson, UA, and Stan Cunningham, ASU
2011 – Ted McKinney, AGFD
2012 – Russ Haughey, SCC
2013 – Erika Nowak, USGS and NAU
2014 – Brenda Strohmeyer, Rocky Mountain Research Station
2015 – Abigail King, AGFD
2016 – Chad Rubke, AGFD
2017 – Haley Nelson, AGFD
2018 – John Goodwin, AZGFD
2019 – Sue Boe, AZGFD
2020 – Cat Crawford, USFWS
2021 – not awarded
2022 – not awarded
Professional Service Award (Professional Wildlifer Award)
The Professional Service Award is given to an Arizona biologist for outstanding contributions to management and conservation of wildlife. This individual is also recognized for their professional work standards and conduct. Contributions are in the areas of wildlife research, education, and training, management, conservation, or law enforcement.
1979 – Bob Furlow, BLM
1980 – Gary Ferrier, BLM
1981 – Bruce Jones, BLM
1982 – Bob Hernbrode, Sr. Oracle Wildlife Refuge
1983 – Tom Britt, AGFD
1984 – Jerry Davis, USFS
1985 – Kerry Baldwin, AGFD
1986 – Tice Supplee, AGFD
1987 – Tom Gatz, BR
1988 – Larry Voyles, AGFD
1989 – Ray Lee, AGFD
1990 – Robert Mesta, USFWS
1991 – David Patton, NAU
1992 – not awarded
1993 – Bruce Palmer, USFWS
1994 – Rick Miller, AGFD
1995 – Bill Werner, AGFD, Ron McKinstry, USFWS, Ron Powell BR, Gerald Mulcahy, California Department Fish & Game
1996 – not awarded
1997 – not awarded
1998 – Heather Green, USFS
1999 – John Goodwin, AGFD
2000 – Jim Heffelfinger, AGFD
2001 – Cecelia Dargan-Overby, USFS
2002 – John Morgart, USFWS
2003 – Rebecca Peck, BLM
2004 – not awarded
2005 – William Shaw, UA
2006 – Mark Brown, AGFD
2007 – Brian Wakeling, AGFD
2008 – Ron Sieg, AGFD
2009 – Tom Skinner, USFS
2010 – Lin Piest, AGFD
2011 – Kathy Sullivan, AGFD
2012 – Robert Fink, AGFD
2013 – Carol Chambers, NAU, and John Koprowski, UA
2014 – Heather Bateman, ASU
2015 – David Brown
2016 – Vashti “Tice” Supplee, Audubon Arizona
2017 – Bill Mannan, UA
2018 – Stan Cunningham, ASU
2019 – Tom Jones, Audrey Owens, Christina Akins, Cody Mosely, Maddie Marsh (AZGFD Ranid Frogs Program)
2020 – Tad Theimer, NAU
2021 – not awarded
2022 – not awarded
Conservation Award (Non-Professional Award)
The Conservation Award is given to a person, or persons, not employed directly as a wildlife biologist, or to an organization not directly involved in wildlife management, who contribute significantly to the conservation of wildlife and/or their habitat in Arizona. Conservation can include but is not limited to research, education, legislation, and protection or enhancement of wildlife and their habitat.
1973 – Jack Robison, Jr
1976 – Buenos Aires Ranch
1978 – Frances Werner
1980 – Charles Beeler
1981 – Jack Wight, Wildlife Studios
1982 – Not Awarded
1983 – Barbara Van Cleve, Save Our Public Lands
1984 – Ace Peterson, Arizona Wildlife Federation
1985 – Sen. John Hays and Rep. Larry Hawke, Arizona Legislature
1986 – Les Rosenkrance, BLM
1987 – Dick & Judy Newbold, BLM Volunteers
1988 – Paul Pierce, Save the Grahams
1989 – not awarded
1990 – not awarded
1991 – Barry Burkhart, Arizona Republic
1992 – Rick Erman, Arizona Wildlife Federation
1993 – Thomas Woods, Jr., Arizona Public Service, Arizona Game & Fish Commission
1994 – not awarded
1995 – not awarded
1996 – Anita MacFarlane, Northern Arizona Audubon Society
1997 – Oscar Camou, Sonora Mexico
1998 – Frank & Linda Brandt, Elaine Morrall
1999 – Beth Wooden, Heritage Alliance, Arizona Game & Fish Commission
2000 – Dave Dalton
2001 – not awarded
2002 – Harris Environmental Group, Inc.
2003 – Bob Hoffa Grand Canyon Trust
2004 – Tom Brennan
2005 – not awarded
2006 – Trust for Public Land
2007 – Elaine Morrall
2008 – Henry Dahlberg, Mingus Springs Camp and Outdoor Learning Center
2009 – Arizona Antelope Foundation
2010 – Dan Majika
2011 – Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
2012 – Western Watersheds Project
2013 – not awarded
2014 – Randy Babb, AGFD
2015 – Christina McVie
2016 – Liberty Wildlife
2017 – J.D. Greenberg
2018 – Barbara Hawke
2019 – not awarded
2020 – not awarded
2021 – not awarded
2022 – not awarded
Wildlife Habitat Relationships Award (WILDHARE Award)
The WILDHARE Award is given to a professional wildlife biologist in Arizona for their contribution to understanding or applying habitat principles to the management of an animal species or group of species. The recipient receives a check based on the interest generated for the year in the Habitat Relationships account.
1989 – Greg Goodwin, USFS
1990 – not awarded
1991 – Bob Vahle, USFS
1992 – not awarded
1993 – not awarded
1994 – not awarded
1995 – Heather Green, USFS
1996 – not awarded
1997 – Joe Ganey, USFS
1998 – Rick Miller, AGFD and Tammy Randall Parker, USFS
1999 – Steve Rosenstock, AGFD
2000 – not awarded
2001 – Mary Ann Benoit, USFS
2002 – Bill Mannan, UA
2003 – Norris Dodd, AGFD
2004 – not awarded
2005 – Paul Krausman, UA
2006 – Bill Mannan, UA
2007 – Richard Reynolds, USFS
2008 – not awarded
2009 – Carol Chambers, NAU
2010 – Paul Beier, NAU
2011 – not awarded
2012 – Dana Warnecke, AGFD
2013 – Jeff Gagnon and Scott Sprague, AGFD
2014 – not awarded
2015 – not awarded
2016 – not awarded
2017 – Colin Beach and Chad Loberger, AGFD
2018 – not awarded
2019 – Maria Altemus
2020 – not awarded
2021 – not awarded
2022 – not awarded
Tribal Conservationist Award
Given to a Tribal natural resources director, biologist, or technician whom is working on behalf of a Native American Tribe in Arizona. The individual selected best exemplifies their dedication and hard work to Tribal wildlife and natural resources. This individual is working for (or retired from) a tribal natural resource or game and/or fish departments and are recognized and honored for their exceptional work which is viewed as a contribution to the betterment of tribal natural resources management. Their impact in Indian Country created a path for better tribal resources management for the future. Their contributions can be over several years or limited to a few years of outstanding service.
2022 – Jesse Palmer, White Mountain Apache Tribe
Scrapping Bear Award
The recipient of the Scrapping Bear Award has gone beyond the normal call of duty in support of wildlife issues and has made exceptional contributions toward the management and protection of wildlife and habitat resources AND the recipient has stood up for what they thought was right, even if it was controversial or perceived as contrary to their agency’s official position, supervisor’s positions, or had the potential to put the recipients job on the line.
1987 – Tom Waddell, AGFD
1988 – Bob Vahle, USFS
1989 – Norris Dodd, AGFD
1990 – Lesley Fitzpatrick, USFWS
1991 – Rick Miller, AGFD
1992 – Heather Green, USFS and Susi MacVean, AGFD
1993 – Sandra Nagiller, USFS
1994 – Tim Tibbitts, USFWS
1995 – Sally Stefferud, USFWS
1996 – Jim Copeland, USFS
1997 – Linda White Trifaro, USFS
1998 – Bob Csargo, USFS
1999 – not awarded
2000 – not awarded
2001 – Bruce Palmer, USFWS
2002 – not awarded
2003 – Duke, USFS
2004 – not awarded
2005 – Bill Mannan, UA
2006 – Shaula Hedwall, USFWS
2007 – John Morgart, USFWS
2008 – not awarded
2009 – not awarded
2010 – Siobahan Nordhaugen, ADOT
2011 – Linda Pollock, AZAG
2012 – not awarded
2013 – Norris Dodd, ADOT
2014 – not awarded
2015 – Ray Schweinsburg, AGFD
2016 – Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter
2017 – not awarded
2018 – not awarded
2019 – not awarded
2020 – not awarded
2021 – not awarded
2022 – Thomas (Tab) Bommarito, BR
Roger Hungerford Student Award
The Roger Hungerford Award is given to a student who, while attending an Arizona college or university, made significant contributions to the management and conservation of Arizona’s wildlife and/or habitat. Contributions are in the areas of wildlife research, education and training, management, conservation, or law enforcement. The Award is given in memory of one of Arizona’s finest research biologists, Roger Hungerford.
1983 – Tom Ohmart, ASU
1984 – Kerry Christensen, NAU
1985 – Dave Smith, UA
1986 – Chuck Hunter, ASU
1987 – Heather Green, NAU
1988 – not awarded
1989 – Mark Wallace, UA
1990 – Joe Ganey, NAU
1991 – not awarded
1992 – Rich Etchberger, UA
1993 – Rick Keller, NAU
1994 – David Olson, NAU
1995 – not awarded
1996 – not awarded
1997 – Lisa Fox, UA
1998 – Mike Rabe, NAU
1999 – Mike Ingraldi, NAU
2000 – Karen Mock, NAU
2001 – Shaula Hedwall, NAU
2002 – Cathy Blasch, UA
2003 – Mikele Painter, NAU
2004 – Kristin Covert, NAU
2005 – Bret S. Pasch, UA
2006 – Brian Jansen, UA
2007 – Jeff Gagnon, NAU
2008 – not awarded
2009 – Erika Nowak, NAU
2010 – not awarded
2011 – Dan Sturla, AGFD, and Jeff Sturla, USFS
2012 – Melissa Merrick, UA
2013 – Jonathan Hicks, SCC
2014 – Hsiang Ling, UA
2015 – Jonathan Derbridge, UA
2016 – Sarah Hale, UA
2017 – Erin Zylstra, UA
2018 – Holly Barton, UA
2019 – not awarded
2020 – Daniel Enrique Sanchez, NAU
2021 – Nick Beauregard, NAU
2022 – not awarded
David E. Brown Lifetime Achievement Award
The David E. Brown Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual for his or her accomplishments in wildlife biology and management over their lifetime.
2016 – David Brown, retired
2017 – David Patton, retired
2018 – not awarded
2019 – Randy Babb
2020 – not awarded
2021 – Terry Johnson
2022 – David Hall, UA
Outstanding Service to the Chapter Award
The Outstanding Service to the Chapter Award is given to an individual who has volunteered significant time and effort to provide exceptional service to our chapter and its members.
2016 – Holly Hicks, AGFD and AZTWS
2017 – not awarded
2018 – Kay Nicholson, AZTWS
2019 – not awarded
2020 – not awarded
2021 – not awarded
2022 – not awarded
Special Awards
1979 – Bob Furlow, BLM
1980 – Gary Ferrier, BLM
1980 – Judy Hohman and Cindy Edwards
2006 – Reed Sanderson, UA