Announcing Our 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Awardees For Outstanding Conservation Achievements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 19th, 2023

Within the heart of America’s national wildlife refuges lies a commitment to nature and conservation that is essential for the well-being of our communities. We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, recognizing the exceptional contributions made to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards celebration and dinner will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the prestigious Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed, ensuring that the celebration reaches a wider audience.

"The protection of our national wildlife refuges is paramount to the thriving ecosystem and the enjoyment of these precious lands by future generations," said Geoffrey L. Haskett, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. "This year's awardees exemplify dedication, passion, and energy, and their remarkable work strengthens the safety and vitality of the National Wildlife Refuge System."

We are thrilled to announce the following recipients of the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards:

• Rebekah P. Martin, Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Complex, North Carolina- Paul Kroegel Award- Refuge Manager of the Year

• Brad Pendley, Wildlife Biologist, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri - Refuge Employee of the Year

• Mark Ackerman & Joyce Atkinson; Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado; Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Nevada; and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon - Refuge Volunteers of the Year

• Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio - Molly Krival- Refuge Friends Group of the Year

These remarkable individuals and friends group have demonstrated exceptional dedication and made significant contributions to the conservation and enhancement of America’s national wildlife refuges. Their invaluable efforts deserve our highest praise and recognition.

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The National Wildlife Refuge Association is a non-profit exclusively focused on protecting, promoting, and enhancing the 850-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.

For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Communications Manager at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.