Click here to download the 2012 Conservation Achievement Awards Nomination Packet 46th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Celebrate the Protection of Wildlife and Habitat
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Each year since 1965, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) has honored a select group of leaders in the conservation and stewardship of wildlife and their habitat in Tennessee.
"These awards recognize those individuals and organizations that have made truly meaningful contributions to conservation in Tennessee and to TWF," says Michael Butler, TWF's chief executive officer. "The great work of our past winners lives on today, and the current generation is building upon those successes. Without their willingness to take action, we would have failed in our mission, and we are proud to honor their contributions."
The 46th Annual TWF Conservation Achievement Awards were held Tuesday, April 19, at the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. | 
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Kathleen Williams of the Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation was honored as the Conservationist of the Year for her tireless efforts to ensure that the real estate transfer funds earmarked for conservation remained in the state’s 2010 budget.
Boyle Investment Company, Inc. of Memphis was recognized as the Land Conservationist of the Year for their recent donation of a critical 290-acre tract of land for public use that includes more than one mile of river frontage to the Wolf River Conservancy.
TWRA Lands Management Biologist Marc Lipner was awarded the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year for his intensive habitat management strategy implemented on TWRA-owned pine plantations.
Michael Cain of the Harpeth River Watershed Association was honored as Water Conservationist of the Year for the coordination of dozens of river clean-ups that removed more than 100 tons of debris from the Harpeth after last spring’s historic flood.
Foothills Land Conservancy was recognized as Conservation Organization of the Year for the protection of 25,000 acres of rural landscapes around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
TWRA Aquatic Education Coordinator Patricia Miller was celebrated as Conservation Educator of the Year for her implementation of the national Fishing in the Schools program, Tennessee’s free fishing days, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Take Me Fishing Events and other events and initiatives related to stream ecology and youth and women in the outdoors.
Senator Doug Jackson was named Conservation Legislator of the Year for his service to the state on conservation and wildlife-related legislation, his passion for youth shooting sports and his leadership on the constitutional amendment preserving the personal right to hunt and fish in Tennessee.
Kevin Hoyt was honored as Forester of the Year for his efforts to conserve Tennessee’s forests through proper management, including highly successful wildlife habitat and sustainable forestry initiatives.
Jim Stroud was recognized as Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for his years of tireless volunteerism in the education of the next generation of hunters through the state’s Hunter Education Program.
John Barron of B&B Processing in Marshall County was named the Hunters for the Hungry Processor of the Year for his coordination of more than 20,000 donated pounds of professionally processed venison that provided more than 82,000 meals to hungry Tennesseans.
The Z. Cartter Patton Award was presented to East Tennessee State University ornithology professor Dr. Fred Alsop for his unprecedented research in avian taxonomy and natural history, including the publication of several highly regarded identification guides and books on the birds of North America.
The Chairman’s Award went to TWF CEO Michael Butler for his leadership of the successful campaign to amend the state constitution to include a personal right to hunt and fish.
Several volunteers from the Right to Hunt and Fish Campaign were recognized for their grassroots leadership that helped ensure the historic 90 percent margin of victory on the constitutional amendment referendum.
Nominations came from the Federation's membership and the general public. In the past, TWF has presented the awards to tireless volunteers, wildlife educators, state employees, key legislators and others who have made a difference in our state.
Presenting sponsors were Bridgestone Americas, the National Wildlife Federation and Packaging Corporation of America.
Founded in 1946, The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is dedicated to the conservation, sound management and enjoyment of Tennessee's wildlife and natural resources for current and future generations through stewardship, advocacy and education.
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Conservation Achievement Award Winners 
