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.

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.

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2013 National Wetlands Awards Recipients

 

Conservation and Restoration

 

For over 25 years, Thomas Ries has played an instrumental role in wetland restoration in southwest Florida. Tom, executive vice president at Scheda Ecological Associates, has been involved in over 80 habitat restoration and stormwater retrofit projects, including some of the most ambitious and successful restoration projects in southwest Florida. His work has won numerous environmental awards, and has resulted in the restoration of more than 2,400 acres of wetlands. Tom is known for his ability to bring public and private partners to the table to produce innovative and cost-saving designs, as well as for his dedication to wildlife resources and community involvement in his projects. Tom is also known for his willingness to collaborate and share his expertise with colleagues from across the country. In 2003, Tom founded a non-profit organization, Ecosphere Restoration Institute, in order to facilitate and leverage match dollars for restoration. Through his non-profit, Tom has donated thousands of hours of his time towards habitat restoration.

Education and Outreach

 

Ohio landowners, brothers Steve and Jerry Panzner, have transformed their restored wetlands into a living laboratory for elementary, undergraduate, and graduate students. In 1999, the brothers decided to restore over 100 acres of their family farm to wetland habitats similar to those that existed on the land in the 1920s. They designed and implemented each step of the restoration process, adapting agricultural know-how to establish one of the top wetland mitigation sites in Ohio. In 2009, Steve and Jerry entered into an innovative partnership with the University of Akron and the Akron Public Schools to establish a yearlong program to teach hundreds of elementary students about the importance of wetlands. They actively participated in the program, not only providing their land as an outdoor classroom, but also sharing their knowledge and experience with the students. Steve and Jerry have also provided graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to use their restored wetlands for scientific research. In 2012, the Panzner brothers donated their land to the University of Akron to be used for wetlands education, research, and outreach.

 

Landowner Stewardship

 

Landowner Robert Zorb has worked with federal, state, and local partners to restore his land in Washington and Idaho. Bob was born in the Palouse Hills of eastern Washington. As a child, he hiked and hunted along the local creeks and Palouse River. Years later, he was able to acquire some of the land he had enjoyed as a child, but something was missing. The land held few birds, deer, and waterfowl. Also missing were the grasses, shrubs, and trees he remembered from his childhood. So Bob began restoring his land. Since the late 1980s, approximately 150,000 trees and shrubs have been planted on Bob’s land, using no small amount of his own money. Bob has also improved many acres of upland and riparian wetlands through techniques he has learned on his own, through experimentation, and with the help of local and state partners. His land now abounds with birds, deer, and waterfowl. Bob’s restoration work has influenced others to consider new conservation practices. Today, at the age of 83, Bob continues to plant trees on his land.

 

Science Research

 

Pennsylvania State University Professor of Geography and Ecology, Dr. Robert P. Brooks is a preeminent wetlands researcher. For over 30 years, Rob has built a research program in wetlands science that spans the full realm of topics relating to wetlands ecology and conservation. This research is highly applied, making it valuable to natural resource managers and policy makers in developing and implementing effective programs to protect wetlands. In 1993, Rob founded Riparia, a center focused on advancing wetlands and aquatic ecosystems science. Under Rob’s direction, Riparia has led or participated in some of the most significant research on wetlands and wetlands assessment techniques in the United States. Rob is also known for his collaborative approach, making time to serve in a broad array of wetlands organizations. Rob’s work has resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and more than 140 presentations. In addition to his research, Rob has trained 42 graduate students to be wetland scientists, furthering his contribution to wetlands conservation.

 

State, Tribal, and Local Program Development

 

Doug Norris has been at the forefront of wetlands protection and conservation in Minnesota for over 20 years. Although Minnesota’s multiple state agencies make it one of the more complicated wetland programs in the country, the state has been a national wetland leader for years. Teamwork has been key to the state's success and that has flourished under Doug's low-key leadership. As Wetlands Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Doug has been a tireless advocate for wetlands in Minnesota, championing their protection through regulation, monitoring, mapping, and restoration. Doug has done this by working effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, scientists, and the public, to resolve challenging wetland issues. He routinely provides input on state and national wetland policy issues, providing thoughtful comments and insights. Doug is also an important participant in the wetlands community, acting as a leader and mentor to wetlands professionals working at the local, state, and national levels.

 

Wetland Community Leadership

 

As the director of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for 30 years, Mark Silberstein has worked tirelessly to protect, restore, and share the Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s most significant wetland environments. Under Mark’s guidance, the Foundation has brokered 48 land transactions, protecting nearly 4000 acres of land, and has restored more than 2000 acres of coastal and estuarine habitats. Much of Mark’s success is attributable to his ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, working collaboratively with industry, farmers, governments, and community members to find pragmatic approaches to conservation. This has resulted in the protection of 12% of the lands in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. In addition, Mark has ensured future protection of the slough by establishing volunteer and education programs. These programs reach thousands of students and other members of the public each year, inspiring the next generation of conservationists to protect California’s coastal resources.

• Awardees In the News
• Past Awards Recipients (1989-2012)

 

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