56th annual conservation achievement awards

For more than a half-century, Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been hosting the Conservation Achievement Awards to recognize those making outstanding contributions to Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources. Past winners have included senators, international companies, conservation professionals, and lifelong volunteers from every corner of the state.

A message from our co-executives:

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

Z. Cartter Patten Award — Senator Lamar Alexander [watch video]
J. Clark Akers, III Award — Tom Rice
Chairman’s Award — Libby and Frank Duff
Wildlife Conservationist — Greg Vital [watch video]
Land Conservationist — Cayce McAlister
Forest Conservationist — Bridgestone Americas Inc. [watch video]
Conservation Organization — Nashville Symphony
Conservation by Business — Grasslands Environmental
Conservation Educator — Connie Deegan
Conservation Communicator — Jenifer Wisniewski [watch video]
Youth Conservationist — Cash Daniels [watch video]
On Target Award — Doug Bryant
Dan & Cherie Hammond Sharing the Harvest Award — Keith Clow
Gedeon D. Petit Memorial Award — TWRA Public Duck Hunting Team
Hunter Education Instructor — Phillip Ware

Senator Lamar Alexander | Z. Cartter Patten Award

Greg Vital | Wildlife Conservationist

Bridgestone Americas Inc. | Conservation by Business

Jenifer Wisniewski | Conservation Communicator

Cash Daniels | Youth Conservationist

Consider making a donation in honor of an award recipient. Each donation will be featured in the upcoming newsletter and directly support the wildlife and wild places in Tennessee that the award winners have worked so hard to conserve.

More From Tennessee Wildlife Federation

2025 General Assembly Preview

2025 General Assembly Preview

Conservation will be a big topic again in the 2025 session of the Tennessee General Assembly. Join our Action Alert email list now to be notified when your voice is needed to speak up for conservation.

read more
Reviving Tennessee: Cane Creek

Reviving Tennessee: Cane Creek

In 2017, Tennessee Wildlife Federation began its first wetland restoration project—a 12 acre site in the Cane Creek watershed in Putnam County. As of 2024, the site has undergone an amazing transformation and is now permanently protected under a conservation easement. 

read more
Habitats We Restore

Habitats We Restore

Tennessee Wildlife Federation works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve and restore the four major habitat types in Tennessee: forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands.

read more

Get the latest conservation news and actions to take!