From Marla Ruskin
Alabama Wildlife Federation
The Alabama Wildlife Federation will present this year’s Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards at a formal banquet, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, at the Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville.
The Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, considered the most prestigious conservation honors in the state of Alabama, promote leadership by example and in turn increase conservation of our natural resources including our wildlife, forests, land, water and air. Over the past 40 years, Alabama Wildlife Federation has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources.
This year’s award recipients are:
Conservationist of the Year: Chris Blankenship, Montgomery
Wildlife Conservationist of the Year: Kevin McKinstry, Tuscaloosa
Fisheries Conservationist of the Year: Stuart McGregor, Tuscaloosa
Forest Conservationist of the Year: Michael Heatherly, Tallassee
Land Conservationist of the Year: Partners for Agricultural Innovation & Sustainability, Livingston
Water Conservationist of the Year: Leslie Gahagan, Foley
Air Conservationist of the Year: Argos USA, LLC, Roberta Plant, Calera
Conservation Educator of the Year: North Alabama AgriPlex, Cullman
Conservation Communicator of the Year: Billy Pope, Pike Road
Conservation Enforcement Officer of the Year: Officer Thomas Bobo, Guntersville
Judicial Conservationist of the Year: Judge Amy Newsome, Wedowee
Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year: Sam Hansen, Leeds
Youth Conservationist: Nickolas Schmidt, Prattville
For more information about the awards and recipients, visit www.alabamawildlife.org
The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of AWF, a 501(c)3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity. To learn more contact Alabama Wildlife Federation at 1-800-822-WILD or visit www.alabamawildlife.org
