Leland Pierce and Mark Lindvall earn Distinguished Service Awards

Leland Pierce, a biologist at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and Mark Lindvall, a longtime U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, have each earned Distinguished Service Awards from The Wildlife Society for their commitment to the TWS mission and outstanding contributions to conservation.

Pierce, who has helped conserve understudied and underresourced species, has served in many roles with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), including his current position as amphibian and reptile biologist. Throughout his career, he has been consistently engaged in multiple levels of The Wildlife Society, serving as president of the New Mexico Chapter and the Southwest Section, and has presided on the executive board of both.  

“Leland’s leadership and longevity in his service to TWS is particularly helpful in guiding those who are new to these board positions,” Nicole Tatman, big game program director at NMDGF wrote in a nomination letter. “During his service on the executive boards, Leland has always been enthusiastic about helping to plan or participate in events that bring wildlife biologists together. To say Leland is ‘always there’ to serve all levels of TWS would be an understatement.”

Other colleagues echo similar sentiments regarding Pierce’s contributions to TWS and speak to his commitment to mentoring students and early career professionals, as well as emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion in wildlife management. Pierce has been an active participant in the Women of Wildlife Community.

Mark Lindvall has been a member of The Wildlife Society for 38 years. He has served as president, treasurer, and as a board member for the Nebraska Chapter of TWS and received the Career Professional Award from the Chapter in 2012. Lindvall recently joined the board of the Central Mountains and Plains Section. After teaching as a university lecturer at the Nepal Institute of Forestry while in the Peace Corps, Lindvall began working for the USFWS at National Wildlife Refuges in Massachusetts, New York, Colorado and Nebraska.

“Throughout his career with the USFWS, Mark worked toward the goals of the NWR System and displayed qualities that aligned with the mission of TWS,” Anna Ortega of the Western Wildlife Research Collective, LLC wrote in a nomination letter. “The refuge system goals of preserving endangered species, managing for migratory birds, caring for resident wildlife and providing places for people to enjoy wildlife provided guidance for Mark in his work.”

Lindvall displayed a passion for environmental education and outdoor programming during his career to help children learn about and enjoy nature, leading a Junior Duck Stamp program, Kid’s Fishing Days and Junior Ranger programs, as well as teaching hunter education courses.

Ortega said that even in his retirement, Lindvall continues to be involved in TWS and conservation, remaining active in the Refuge Friends group and acting as a driving force behind wildlife conservation volunteer projects.

“Mark’s contributions meet the spirit of the Distinguished Service Award, as he could always be counted on to step up to serve.”