The Diversity Award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the natural resource professions, especially wildlife conservation and education. Recognized activities may focus on encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce, academic enrollment, or organizational membership.

AWARD CRITERIA

Both individuals and organizations are eligible for the award. Individuals include anyone participating in a natural resource field. Organizations include public agencies, institutions of higher education, companies, and non-governmental organizations.

Evaluation criteria for individuals include leadership, innovation, and tangible results.

Evaluation criteria for organizations include: innovation and creativity, resource investment, overcoming challenges and obstacles, sustained efforts, and tangible results.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

Nomination narrative that addresses how the nominee has excelled in one or more of the following pursuits:

  • Nomination narrative that addresses how the nominee has excelled in one or more of the following pursuits:
    • Demonstrated leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
    • Demonstrated innovation in design and implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
    • Achieved tangible results (e.g., recruitment, mentoring, funding, program implementation)
    • And may also include other relevant factors to further describe the impact and contribution of the nominee’s accomplishments and the value of their efforts towards furthering diversity.
  • At least one, but not more than three, letters of support.

Nominations can be submitted by a second party or can be self-nominated.

Nomination materials for unsuccessful candidates remain in the nominee pool for three years unless the individual is re-nominated.

Nomination materials must be submitted via the online nominations system by May 1 at 11:59 PM ET.

For questions related to TWS Awards please email, awards@wildlife.org.

DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS

2023 (2 awards)
Jennifer Merems
Vanguarding an Inclusive Ecological Workforce (VIEW) Fellowship of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University
2022
Student Wildlands Adventure Program
2021
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
2020
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Diversity Outreach Program
2019
Rena Borkhataria
2018
Carol L. Chambers
2017
Serra J. Hoagland
2016
Alix Pedraza
2015
Diana Doan-Crider
2014
Jeramie T. Strickland
2013
Dana Sanchez
2012 (2 awards)
Bruce D. Leopold
Career Discovery Internship – USFWS
2011
Native American Professional Development Program of the Native People’s Wildlife Management Working Group of The Wildlife Society
2010
Minorities in Natural Resources Committee of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
2009
Jeremy Guinn
2008
Roel Lopez
2007
Raul Valdez
2004
National Wildlife Federation’s Alaska Women’s Environmental Network
2003
Mamie A. Parker
2002
MeadWestvaco Corporation’s Natural Resource Camp