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Since 1989, the program has honored more than 150 champions of wetlands conservation; helped draw local and national media attention to their causes; and played an important role in securing funding for and convincing policy makers to consider seriously the issues they have championed.

The 2012 National Wetlands Awards recipients were honored on May 10, 2012 at this year's Awards Ceremony at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Also, be sure to check out our wetland fact sheets featuring past Award recipient, and our online resource, Leading the Way, to learn more about ways to get involved in wetlands.

Ceremony keynote

The 2012 National Wetlands Awards recipients at this year's ceremony.

View photos of this year's ceremony.

Listen to the audio recording from the ceremony here.

To read this year's transcript please click here.

About the NWAs | Awardees | The Ceremony | Nominations | Contact Us

Call for Nominations Now Closed

Please note that the deadline for 2013 National Wetland Awards Nominations has now passed and winners have been announced. The Call for Nominations for the 2014 Awards will open in October.

 

Since 1989, the National Wetlands Awards have brought national recognition and attention to over 150 outstanding individuals for their contributions to our nation’s wetlands. Help us celebrate the achievements of exceptional wetlands leaders by nominating someone you know for these prestigious awards.

The National Wetlands Awards are administered by the Environmental Law Institute and supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

NOMINATION CATEGORIES

Awards will be given to individuals in six categories. Nominees can only be nominated for one category in a given year. Because it is common for nominees’ work to span multiple categories, the descriptions below offer guidance to help the nominator choose the appropriate category. Please do not limit nominations to the examples listed in the descriptions. For examples of previous recipients, visit the Awardees page.

Conservation and Restoration: This award is given to an individual who has accomplished the conservation or restoration of significant wetland resources through the use of on-the-ground restoration, management, or conservation methods on public or private lands. For example, an individual who has used an innovative approach to restore a wetland ecosystem, or someone who has contributed to the protection of a regionally significant wetland area through the use of tried-and-true conservation methods.

Education and Outreach: This award is presented to a teacher, nonprofit staffer, state/local government employee, or reporter involved in hands-on wetland education. For example, an inspirational school teacher who has developed a wetland course that brings children into the field to learn about wetland ecology.

Landowner Stewardship: This award is presented to a private landowner, who, while using his or her private land for farming, forestry activities, ranching, or development, voluntarily helps restore, protect, or minimize impacts to wetlands. For example, a farmer involved in wetland restoration or conservation on his or her land or enlisting nearby landowners in such efforts, or a residential developer who provides significant protection or restoration of wetlands associated with a subdivision.

Please note that this Award is presented to a private landowner who is using at least part of his or her land for farming, ranching, development, etc. (i.e. entire parcel is not enrolled in a conservation program such as WRP).

Science Research: This award is presented to an academic, consultant, or other individual leading scientific research on wetland values and functions, restoration, or enhancement. For example, an individual who has spearheaded groundbreaking or influential research on wetland restoration.

State, Tribal, and Local Program Development: This award is given to a state, tribal, or local government employee who has developed and administered an outstanding wetland program. For example, a state government employee who has developed a streamlined wetland regulatory program, or a local government employee who has developed a wetland registry.

Wetland Community Leader: This award is given to an individual who has devoted significant time and energy to wetland protection by mobilizing concerned citizens to protect a wetland or introducing and spearheading the passage of wetland legislation. For example, an individual who has led a coalition of citizens to work with the state transportation agency to protect a local wetland system, or a person who has spearheaded a campaign to pass state legislation protecting wetlands.

ELIGIBILITY

Nominations must be for individuals—not organizations or groups of individuals—whose projects operate at the regional, state, or local level. Federal employees are not eligible. Retired federal employees are not eligible for any work or volunteer efforts done during the time they were employed by a federal agency. Self-nominations are not allowed. Projects not currently in compliance with the Clean Water Act or similar state or local statutes, as well as projects compelled by enforcement actions under those statutes, are not eligible.

NOMINATION MATERIALS

To apply, nominators must fill out the attached nomination form, which requires the nominator to: (1) provide contact information of the nominator and nominee; (2) select a nomination category; (3) answer the nomination questions; and (4) include any additional materials. We strongly encourage nominators to provide additional information that may help the selection committee gain a fuller picture of a nominee’s accomplishments. These could include letters of support, related articles, and press coverage. Brief written descriptions, resumes, or bibliographies should be submitted in lieu of video or audio recordings, books, posters, lengthy articles, or similar materials.

SUBMITTING NOMINATION MATERIALS

Nomination materials should be submitted as a single PDF or Word document, no longer than 20 pages in length. Please provide nomination materials in the following order: contact information; nomination category; answers to nomination questions; and any additional materials. Please e-mail the nomination form and all supporting materials to wetlandsawards@eli.org by December 14, 2012.

Go to the Awardees page to view profiles of past years’ award recipients.

Additional Materials

We strongly encourage nominators to provide additional information that may help the selection committee gain a fuller picture of a nominee’s accomplishments, such as letters of support, related articles, and press coverage, as part of the nomination package. Brief written descriptions, resumes, or bibliographies should be submitted in lieu of video or audio recordings, books, posters, lengthy articles, or similar materials

Selection Process

Awardees will be chosen by a committee of wetland experts representing the conservation and business communities, as well as federal, state, and local governments. ELI strives to assemble a selection committee that represents all geographic regions of the United States.

Suggestions from Previous Selection Committe Members

  • Be very clear about the specific accomplishments of the nominee. Differentiate between being part of a team or group effort, and leading an effort or accomplishing something single-handedly.
  • Provide a clear statement of the intended audience of the nominee’s work.
  • To the extent possible, quantify the nominee's successes (e.g. in years worked, acres restored, students reached, etc.)
  • Selection Committee members have found additional materials (letters of support, resumes, news articles, etc.) detailing a nominee's accomplishments to be helpful.

Questions should be directed to Gwen Brown at (202) 939-3821 or wetlandsawards@eli.org