The Western Division is pleased to announce the past recipients of the Division awards.
Individual Awards are given to AFS members and non-members that have made significant contributions to fisheries education, science, management, and conservation.
Award of Excellence – This award recognizes sustained professional excellence; it is the most prestigious award offered by the Division. It 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.
Award of Merit – This award is given to AFS member(s) who have made positive and regionally significant contributions to the Western Division, to our profession, and to fisheries resources.
Award of Special Recognition – WDAFS gives this award to an AFS member or non-member (or, alternatively, to an organization) whose actions have directly benefited the Western Division and its members.
Robert Borovicka Conservation Achievement Award – This award is presented to an AFS member or non-member who has significantly contributed to fisheries conservation within the geographic region of the Western Division.
Diversity and Inclusion Awards – The WDAFS Diversity & Inclusion Committee presents the Diversity & Inclusion Service award to an AFS Member exhibiting strong evidence of service and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the fisheries profession and the Diversity & Inclusion Mentorship award to a promising student or early career professional interested in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership skills.
Organization Awards are bestowed on entities such as agencies, tribes, private entities, and non-profit organizations that have stood out for their contribution to fisheries conservation.
Award of Special Recognition – This award is given to an organization (as defined above) whose actions have directly benefited the Western Division and its members. Individuals (AFS member or non-member) are also eligible for this award.
Conservation Achievement Award – This award is presented to an organization (as defined above) for their efforts to promote the conservation, development, and wise use of fisheries resources within the geographical region of the western United States that comprises the Western Division.
Excellence in Riparian Management Award – Also known as the Riparian Challenge Award, this award recognizes organizations that have restored riparian systems along lakes, streams, and wetlands in the geographical region of the western United States that comprises the Western Division. Each year, WDAFS gives an award to the implementer of an outstanding riparian project in each of the following categories: (1) U.S. Forest Service (USFS) projects; (2) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) projects; and (3) projects completed by entities other than the USFS and BLM.