Professional Awards
The Association recognizes individuals, programs, and organizations each year who make significant contributions to fish and wildlife conservation in the Southeast. Here is a list of awards that SEAFWA issues annually.
View all award recipients by year
Clarence W. Watson Award
The C.W. Watson Award is the most prestigious award given in the southeast and is presented to the career individual who, in the opinion of the C.W. Watson Award Committee, has made the greatest contribution to wildlife or fish conservation during the previous year or years.
Consideration includes research, administration, law enforcement, information and education, wildlife management, fish management, and includes teachers,...
Diversity and Inclusion Awards
The SEAFWA Diversity and Inclusion Awards were initiated in 2019 to recognize member agencies' significant commitments to recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce and access to outdoor activities targeting underrepresented populations. This recognition also allows the sharing of best practices for other agencies to follow.
Nominees can be member agencies, specific teams, or individuals focusing on these goals.
Beginning in 2023, there are two categories of agency recognition:
Gold Award: Awardees are exemplary examples of workforce...Fisheries Biologist of the Year
The Association’s Biologist of the Year Awards are presented to two career biologists of state wildlife agencies, one each in the categories of wildlife and fisheries, who in the opinion of the SEAFWA Awards Committee have made outstanding contributions toward wildlife/fisheries conservation. Each award is presented during the awards banquet at the Association’s annual conference.
Outstanding Technical Papers
Below are the fisheries and wildlife technical papers selected as outstanding by a panel of judges at each annual conference.
SEAFWA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
The SEAFWA Officer of the Year Award is presented annually to one of the member state’s law enforcement officers of the year. Beginning in 2014, the award was renamed the “Robert M. Brantly Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award” to mark the 57-year conservation public service career of then-retiring SEAFWA Executive Secretary Bob Brantly of Florida. This award highlights an officer who excels in these areas:
Teamwork and Public Outreach - The honoree is engaged with the public...State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Member agency states individually select a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year to honor. Officers who are recognized by their respective states are then be considered for the SEAFWA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
Wildlife Biologist of the Year
The Association’s Biologist of the Year Awards are presented to two career biologists of state wildlife agencies, one each in the categories of wildlife and fisheries, who in the opinion of the SEAFWA Awards Committee have made outstanding contributions toward wildlife/fisheries conservation. Each award is presented during the awards banquet at the Association’s annual conference.