Award recipients cited for their heroic work

As a wildfire approached Gatlinburg, Tennessee, last November, two park rangers jumped into action with their chain saws. The pair, Ryan Williamson and Andrew Herrington, is credited with saving hundreds of lives. They were honored by the Tennessee Chapter of the Wildlife Society with newly established Tennessee Conservation Hero awards.

“The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fortunate to have these dedicated professionals committed to serving the people through the National Park Service,” said the chapter’s Billy Minser, in an article published by Knoxville News Sentinel that describes that awful night.

“I know I speak for countless others in saying that I am proud to call them colleagues in our profession,” said Erin Patrick, the chapter’s secretary and treasurer.