SEAFWA News

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) bestowed a Special Recognition Award upon Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Senior Communication and Education Specialist Lance Meek during their 75th annual meeting, held Oct. 17-20 in Roanoke, Virginia. Meek was recognized for leading ODWC’s innovations in hunter education.

“Lance Meek has proven to be a passionate and tireless advocate for providing the best possible education opportunities for hunters,” SEAFWA President Paul Johansen said. “Over his two decades of service, no other state in the...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Lori Williams the 2021 Wildlife Biologist of the Year at their 75th annual meeting, held Oct. 17-20 in Roanoke, Virginia. Williams has served as the lead amphibian biologist for the western region of North Carolina for the last 17 years.

“Williams’ passion for some of our most overlooked wildlife is matched only by her expertise,” SEAFWA President Paul Johansen said. “She has been instrumental in the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s effort to conserve the state’s and region’s native...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Chad Thomas the 2021 Fisheries Biologist of the Year at their 75th annual meeting, held in Roanoke, Virginia Oct. 17-20. Thomas currently serves as the coastal region fisheries supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).

“Chad Thomas has served as an exemplary steward of North Carolina’s fisheries resources throughout his 28-year career,” SEAFWA President Paul Johansen said. “From advancing a web-based, user-friendly statewide fisheries data repository to using emerging...

Betty Bryant, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, received a Special Recognition Award for her dedication and contributions to Minorities in Natural Resource Conservation (MINRC).  Due to the hard work of Betty and her colleagues, MINRC was elevated to the Committee level by the SEAFWA Board of Directors during the Fall 2020 Meeting.

Lance Corporal Blake Baxley from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is the 2021 Colonel Brantley SEAFWA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

This officer consistently exceeds expectations in all aspects of his job. He strives to be perfect, always pays attention to detail, and his work ethic sets the bar for his unit. He has followed in his father’s footsteps and became a game warden in 2015.  He is a K-9 Handler, Hunting Incident Investigator, Specific Skills Instructor, Data-Master Operator, and an SFST Instructor.

With his K-9 partner Arya,...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) recognized the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) for its workforce diversity and inclusion efforts and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for its outreach and education diversity and inclusion efforts during SEAFWA's 75th annual meeting, held in Roanoke Oct. 17-20.

The SEAFWA Minorities in Natural Resources Conservation (MINRC)...

The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) recognized the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its Director’s Meeting during the group’s annual conference.  The Director’s Firebird Award was presented to Curtis Hopkins, Executive Secretary, and Paul Johansen, President, for unparalleled support in a time of need.  The award is reserved for contributions worthy of national recognition towards the advancement of bobwhite conservation.  

The NBCI was navigating an operational transition from the University of Tennessee to...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) bestowed a Special Recognition Award upon the Oklahoma Fishing Trail during their 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) collaborated on the initiative to increase fishing participation across the state.

“This collaborative initiative boosted tourism in Oklahoma, increased fishing participation, and had great economic returns for the state,” SEAFWA President Paul Johansen said.

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The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) bestowed a Special Recognition Award upon Oklahoma's Outdoors Are Always Open communication campaign during their 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) implemented the campaign to promote outdoor recreation during the trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“While so many things were closed or uncertain during this unprecedented year, ODWC's Information and Education Division worked long hours and weekends to bring a ray of good news - the...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award winner during their 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28. The program's intent is to engage underrepresented audiences in outdoor recreation and nature.

“This program is an essential component to TPWD's goal of diversifying the audiences visiting Texas State Parks and utilizing agency programs as well as increasing Texas residents' connection to natural and cultural...