On March 31st, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) honored 11 distinguished individuals, companies and other organizations who have contributed to conservation in Tennessee at its annual Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony. Several hundred guests and legislators attended a reception in their honor at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. “One of the most important parts of conserving our wildlife and natural resources are individuals and organizations who step up to the plate and take action,” said Mike Butler, CEO of TWF. “These awards recognize those individuals and organizations that have made truly meaningful contributions to conservation in Tennessee and to TWF. They are hard working and deserving recipients, and we are proud to honor them.” The 2010 winners are: Charles Birdwell/Birdwell Processing (Greenfield, TN) - Hunters for the Hungry Processor Award Governor Phil Bredesen - Conservationist of the Year Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat (BEECH) at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Warren Plant - Conservation Educator of the Year Chattanooga Area Chapter of Safari Club International - Conservation Organization of the Year Freeman Webb Company - Industrial Conservationist of the Year Daniel Hammond (Franklin, TN) - Louis John “Lou” Williams Award Mayor John Holden (Dyersburg, TN) -President’s Award Nick Luper (Erin, TN) - Gedeon Petit Memorial Award Representative Joe McCord (Maryville, TN) - Conservation Legislator of the Year Tony Sanders (Hixson, TN) - Conservation Communicator of the Year Joseph Smith (Memphis, TN) - Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Jerry Stout (Lafollette, TN) - Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Tennessee Statewide Forest Resource Assessment Working Committee - Forest Conservationist of the Year. The Conservation Achievement Awards have been given annually by the TWF since 1965. Nominations for the awards are taken from across the state. A selection committee then reviews all nominations and decides on the winners. The selection committee is comprised of TWF members, members of the board, and conservation professionals from across Tennessee and media representatives. The award reception was sponsored by Bridgestone Americas, the National Wildlife Federation and Packaging Corporation of America. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is a not for profit organization established in 1946 whose mission is 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. |
