2007 Conservation Achievement Award Winners Print

Nashville, TN --- The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) hosted the 62nd Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Ceremony & Legislative Reception on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at the War Memorial Auditorium. There were 16 awards given to those individuals or groups who have shown exemplary leadership in conserving the resources of the state of Tennessee.

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2007

Tennessee Wildlife Federation Announces Conservation Achievement Awards

Nashville, TN --- The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) hosted the Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Ceremony & Legislative Reception on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at the War Memorial Auditorium.

There were 16 awards given to those individuals or groups who have shown exemplary leadership in conserving the resources of the state of Tennessee.  The awards were given by Jean Maddox, Board President of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and Rudy Kalis, Sports Director at WSMV-TV in Nashville, who served as the event’s Emcee.

Recipients include:

- McKenzie All Girls Trap Team – Scholastic Clay Target Program

President’s Award ­ - For volunteerism beyond what is typically observed.  This team lead by Coach Lance Rider has received national media coverage for their trap shooting accomplishments as females, but has also accomplished great things within their community by participating in causes such as planting trees, relocating wild turkeys and volunteering for organizations such as Make-a-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

- Memphis Daily News - Peter Schutt

President’s Award ­- For volunteerism beyond what is typically observed.  Peter worked with the TWF to establish the new “Great Outdoors University Program”, a  youth conservation education program whose mission is to connect kids with the great outdoors in meaningful, lasting ways.

- Richard Simms, Freelance Outdoor Writer

Conservation Communicator of the Year - Outstanding achievement in effectively conveying the conservation message and creating public awareness of conservation issues in the news media.  Mr. Simms, a self-proclaimed “River Rat”, is Executive Producer at Newschannel 9 in Chattanooga, freelance outdoor writer, and a correspondent for Tennessee’s Wild Side.

- Ben Bush (Hendersonville, TN)  

Hunter Education Instructor of the Year - For outstanding service by a certified instructor in educating sportsmen through the TWRA-sponsored Hunter Education Program and for promoting a knowledge of wildlife management as well as safe and ethical participation in all hunting and shooting activities.  Mr. Bush has been a Hunter Education instructor for 25 years, certifying nearly 7,000 students. 

-Project Tennessee, Montgomery Central High School

Youth Conservationist of the Year - For the outstanding conservation effort by a person or group who has not attained the age of 21 during the contest year.  Winner should have demonstrated ability, leadership and accomplishment in some phase of conservation.  This Project Tennessee chapter focuses on Wildlife Management and has over 100 members.

- Jeff Barrie, Kilowatt Ours

Conservation Educator of the Year  - For outstanding achievement in educating others on conservation.  Education process may be formal or informal, aimed at persons of any age or may be leadership which, by example or demonstration, aids in the education of others.  Mr. Barrie is a documentary film-maker, grassroots organizer and conservation activist. 

- Hawkins Partners, LLC

Industrial Conservationist of the Year - For outstanding conservation achievement by a business or industry located in Tennessee.  Achievements mandated by courts or regulatory agencies will not be considered.  This landscape architecture and planning firm utilizes the LEED Green Building Rating System, which emphasizes strategies for sustainable site development, water savings and energy efficiency. 

- Victor Davis, Office of Surface Mining

Forest Conservationist of the Year - For outstanding achievement in forest and woodlands development management or use including reforestation, preservation of wilderness areas, wildlife habitat development, fire protection, wise cutting practices and multiple-use forest lands.  Mr. Davis has been a leader in the reforestation approach to mine reclamation in Tennessee and other southern Appalachian states.

- Bill Sansom & Susan Richardson Williams, TVA Board of Directors

Land Conservationists of the Year - For outstanding achievement in land-use, watershed and wetlands development or protection, erosion control, recreational development, habitat improvement, and other management practices tending to maintain or improve the environmental aspects of land and related resources.  The dedication of Mr. Sansom and Ms. Williams led to more than 293,000 acres of public land being conserved.

- Jonathan Overly, University of TennesseeAir Conservationist of the Year  - For outstanding achievement in obtaining quality air standards, reducing pollution, affecting control of pollution sources or other action contributing to significant improvement in air standards.  Mr. Overly’s ambition drove the creation of the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, and his leadership has been instrumental in the rapid growth in alternative fuels use in East Tennessee.

- David Pelren, University of Tennessee at Martin

Water Conservationist of the Year - For out-standing achievement in pollution control, conservation and protection of wetlands, estuaries and wild or natural rivers, prevention of water degradation quality through effective planning and management or other activity aimed at maintaining or improving water standards.  Mr. Pelren is an Associate Professor of Wildlife Biology at the University of Tennessee at Martin and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator of Tennessee Scenic River Association’s Adopt-a-River Program.  

- Tennessee Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation

Conservation Organization of the Year  - For outstanding achievement by an organization for work in some phase of conservation during the contest year.  As the 6th largest chapter in the nation, they have contributed greatly to the conservation of wild turkey and the preservation of Tennessee’s hunting heritage.

- State Wildlife Action Plan Team

Wildlife Conservationist of the Year - For outstanding achievement contributing to effective management, control, restoration or replenishment of wildlife resources.  Through the State Wildlife Grants Program, this team has identified threatened species, evaluated habitat, and focused on conservation issues and actions across the state. 

- Nick Crafton (Memphis, TN)

Louis John “Lou” Williams Award - For many years of dedicated, effective, and valuable service to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, through its governing boards, committees, projects, or other activities.  As a TWF board member, Mr. Crafton has been dedicated, effective and provided valuable service since 2001.

- William “Billy” Minser, University of Tennessee

Conservationist of the Year - For the achievement(s) considered to have made the most significant contribution to the cause of natural resources conservation in Tennessee.  The action should have taken place during, or culminated in, the contest year.  Mr. Minser was a leader in the crusade against the Tennessee Valley Authority’s policy of public lands management and worked to effect the TVA’s decision to conserve the 293,000 acres of public lands. 

- Larry Marcum, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Z. Cartter Patten Award  - For many years of effective and valuable service to the cause of conservation in Tennessee, including, but not limited to, natural resources management, environmental protection and enhancement, public education, public service, or political support.  Mr. Marcum has been a true conservation leader over his 32 year career as a consistent advocate for the sportsmen and sportswomen of Tennessee. 

Sponsors of the event included Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, Huber, Packing Corporation of America and Spring Hill Manufacturing.

The Tennessee Wildlife Federation, founded in 1946 as the Tennessee Conservation League, has a mission to champion the conservation, sound management and enjoyment of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources for current and future generations through stewardship, advocacy and education.  It is comprised of a diverse group of men and women working to ensure Tennessee’s great wildlife and natural resources will be enjoyed for generations to come.  For more information, go to www.tnwf.org.

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