Awards

2026 Award Nominations

The Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society presents awards annually when worthy nominations are submitted for: the Charles E. Harris Professional Wildlifer Award, the Special Recognition Award, and the Randall B. Smith Emerging Leader Award. Please consider nominating someone, or a group, for these awards. To do so, please download and fill out the form below:

ICTWS Award Nomination Form

Completed nomination forms should be sent to Ryan Long (ralong@uidaho.edu).

The awards committee will meet prior to the next annual meeting to consider the nominations. There are many hard-working, deserving chapter members and non-chapter people and groups who might be honored by these awards. Please consider your co-workers and colleagues and take the time to submit a nomination or two.

Award Descriptions

The Charles E. Harris Professional Wildlifer Award honors professionals in wildlife management. It is given to demonstrate outstanding contributions to Idaho’s wildlife resources as appreciated by one’s peers. The award is meant to recognize outstanding professional contribution and promote public understanding of significant wildlife management accomplishments in Idaho.

The Special Recognition Award, is intended to honor any person or group who has made an outstanding contribution within the state of Idaho to wildlife conservation, management, science, or conservation education; or the wildlife profession; or to a specific area of endeavor, species, community, ecosystem, or region. Any person or group who has made such a contribution in the last 3 years is eligible for this award.

The Randall B. Smith Emerging Leader Award is intended to honor a professional with five (5) or less years of experience in wildlife conservation, management, or research in Idaho who demonstrates exceptional initiative, leadership skills, and commitment to the field. The Award is in memory of Randy Smith, who trained and mentored many young wildlife professionals throughout his career.

Charles E. Harris Professional Wildlifer Award

Special Recognition Award

Randall B. Smith Emerging Leader Award

Ted Trueblood Communication Award

Ted Trueblood was an avid hunter, conservationist, public land advocate, and renowned outdoor writer who was born, raised and educated in Idaho. He lived in Idaho much of his career and wrote for Field & Stream magazine for 40 years. Among other achievements, his column was instrumental in generating public support for the creation of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. He also successfully focused public attention in opposition to the Sagebrush Rebellion of the late 1970s and early 1980s. For more information on Ted Trueblood you can go to the website for the Trout Unlimited Ted Trueblood Chapter or to Archives West where the collection of his papers resides.

ICTWS offers the Ted Trueblood Communication Award for Best Student Poster, Best Professional Poster, Best Student Paper, and Best Professional Paper at the Annual Chapter Meeting. Presenters are scored for awards based on the following criteria:

• Organization: Adherence to time limits; logical progression of ideas and of arguments.
• Content: Basis for topic, hypothesis or objectives, methods, supporting content, results and conclusions clearly presented; level of originality of information.
• Style: Enthusiasm; delivery; connection with audience; appropriate use of voice and gestures; attire; ability to address questions.
• Graphics and Visuals: Appropriateness to presentation, overall design; ability to convey message quickly; pleasing format; stand-alone ability of each graphic.

ICTWS Management, Conservation, and Education Grant

The purpose of the Management, Conservation, and Education Grant Application is to promote and financially assist projects that further the purpose of scientifically sound wildlife and habitat management in Idaho. ICTWS will award grants up to a maximum of $2,000 annually, depending on availability of funds. There is no grant award minimum. Matching funds and partnerships are encouraged, but not required. Non-recipients of awards are encouraged to re-apply in succeeding years if eligibility requirements are met.

ICTWS Grant

ICTWS Scholarship

The Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society established the Idaho Wildlife Undergraduate and Graduate Student Scholarships in 2012. The purpose of the scholarships is to assist with college education costs for undergraduate and graduate students whose professional goals support the mission and objectives of The Wildlife Society. Scholarships are awarded at the annual meeting. ICTWS awards up to $1,500 for Undergraduate Scholarships and up to $2,000 for Graduate Scholarships.

Scholarship Information and Application Form

Scholarship Letter

University of Idaho Scholarships

Photo Contest Winners