Award of Excellence

This is the most prestigious award offered by the Western Division (Division).  The award is intended to recognize sustained, professional excellence.   This award is given annually to an AFS member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and exceptional competence in fishery resource applications through monumental works, new methodologies, or multiple successful contributions that benefit our resources and profession.  Successful nominees have usually excelled in research or management programs at the regional, national, or international levels.  Other examples include fresh, innovative approaches to improving our understanding of aquatic resources, and imaginative and successful programs in education at any level of teaching.  The Award of Excellence is given annually to a member who has demonstrated outstanding sustained achievement in the fisheries profession.  This is the highest award given by the Division and also the oldest award, first being presented in 1970.

Past Award Winners

2023
Matthew Campbell, Idaho Fish and Game
2022
Dr. Frank Rahel, University of Wyoming
2021
Not awarded
2020
Not awarded
2019
Dr. Shawn Narum, Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission
2018
Dr. Christine Moffitt
2017
Dr. Jason Dunham, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science
Center, U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. Peter Moyle, Santa
Cruz – University of California, Davis
2016
Dr. John Skalski
2015
Dan Isaak
2014
Dr. Tim Beechie
2013
Dr. Andre Punt, University of Washington
2012
Mike Stone
2011
Mike Young (MT)
2010
Kurt Fausch
2009
Bruce Rieman, Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
2008
Hiram Li
2007
Carl Schreck, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2006
Wayne Hubert
2004
Dr. E. Eric Knudsen
2003
Dr. Gary Sakagawa and Dr. Oscar Sosa Nishizaki
2002
Dr. Pete Bisson (AFS, Washington)
2001
Jim Martin
2000
Tom Powell
1999
Dave Buchanan
1998
1997
Dr. Roger A. Barnhart, Humboldt State University
1996
Dr. Fred M. Utter, University of Washington
1995
Tom Northcote
1994
Dr. James Hall, Oregon State University; Dr. Robert “Bud” Burgner
1993
Dr. Robert Behnke, Colorado State University
1992
Dr. Ted C. Bjornn, University of Idaho
1991
Richard Shomura; Frank Halfmoon; Peter Moyle
1990
Ron Goede, State of Utah
1989
1988
Cindy Williams; Jack Williams
1987
Lauren R. Donaldson and John R. Donaldson
1986
Bruce H. Smith
1985
Jointly awarded to Dr. Keith B. Jefferts and Dr. Peter K. Bergman
1984
Dr. Milo Bell
1983
Don Duff
1982
Phil Pister, California
1981
1980
Dr. Richard Whitney, University of Washington
1979
Roger Eugene Burrows
1978
1977
Fred Eiserman, Wyoming
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
Alex Calhoun