Wildlife Biologist of the Year

The Chapter’s Wildlife Biologist of the Year Award is presented to a biologist who, in the opinion of the ACTWS Awards Committee, has made outstanding contributions toward wildlife conservation in Alabama. Each award will consist of a certificate, monetary award, and recognition at the Chapter’s annual meeting.

Nominations and deadlines will be advertised through the ACTWS communications network before each annual meeting.

Award Information, Criteria, and Nominating Process
Nominations should include information on the candidate’s background, such as education, training, career accomplishments, and the achievement for which the nomination is being submitted. As much information as practical within the space constraints should be furnished to aid the Committee during the selection process. Nomination guidelines are:

1. Nominee and nominator must be current members of ACTWS.

2. Nominations may be given for a specific project, a career of work, or a combination of both.

3. Nominations should consist of a short (< 400 words) description of the contribution/achievement for which the nomination is being made. Achievements can be related to research, management, administration, or education.

4. Nominations must contain the nominee's and nominator’s full name, address, email address, and phone number. Nominations and the deadlines will be advertised through the ACTWS communications network before each annual meeting. Nomination forms must be submitted to jefbaker@southernco.com by COB on the deadline. A committee will score each nomination and select a recipient for the annual ACTWS “Wildlife Biologist of the Year” award.

The nomination form can be downloaded here.

Recipients

2026 Jeffrey Drummond
Private Lands Biologist, US FIsh & Wildlife Service

2025 Jud Easterwood
Supervising Wildlife Biologist, ADCNR-DWFF

2024 Jonathan Stober
Wildlife Biologist/Fire Ecologist, US Forest Service

2023    Nicholas Sharp             
Nongame Biologist, ADCNR-DWFF

2022    Jeff Baker                     
Biologist, Alabama Power Company

2021    Derek Colbert              
Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Forest Service

2020    Ericha Shelton-Nix       
Nongame Biologist, ADCNR-DWFF

2019 Allison Cochran            
Wildlife Biologist, U. S. Forest Service