National Wetlands Awards Environmental Law Institute home page Environmental Law Institute home page National Weltands Awards home page

 

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 2011 National Wetlands Awards recipients were honored on May 4, 2011 at this years' 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 2011 National Wetlands Awards recipients accept their awards. View photos of this year's ceremony.

 

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

Call for Nominations

The call for nominations for the
2012 National Wetlands Awards is now closed.

 

Questions should be directed to Philip Womble at (202) 939-3837 or wetlandsawards@eli.org

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.

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

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.