Northeast Section honors awards recipients

The Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society has presented its 2020 awards in association with the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. The awards were announced online. NEAFWA and the Northeast Section plan to honor recipients in person at the 2021 conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

This year’s recipients include:

Thomas Decker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the John Pearce Memorial Award

The John Pearce Memorial Award is awarded for outstanding professional accomplishments in wildlife conservation in the Northeast. Throughout his career, Decker has served Mass Wildlife, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His expertise in furbearer management led to the publication of Trapping and Furbearer Management in North American Wildlife Conservation and the development of Trapping Matters Workshops. He has served as an advisory board member and instructor for the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program and has mentored students and new professionals.

Conner Hughes, University of Massachusetts, P.F. English Memorial Award

The P.F. English Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate senior student of wildlife biology or wildlife management within the region. Hughes was recognized for his strong academic record in both wildlife and geographic information systems. He has used skills in both to obtain field experience, including work with endangered turtles, sea turtles and salmon. He also volunteers for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and organizes outdoor activities for his student chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Alison Kocek, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Best Graduate Student Presentation

Through 2019, the Northeast Section reviewed student presentations and recognized outstanding papers presented at the Northeast Conference by graduate and undergraduate students. Alison Kocek of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, was recognized for her paper titled, “Conservation of Tidal Marsh Sparrows in an Urban Setting.”