SEAFWA News

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...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) bestowed a Special Recognition Award upon the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center (AABC) during their 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28. AABC is the largest state non-game recovery program of its kind in the nation. Its mission is to promote the conservation and restoration of rare freshwater species in Alabama waters and, in turn, restore cleaner water in the state's waterways.

“Many species of mollusks, like the spiny...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) bestowed the Clarence W. Watson Award upon Dr. Leandro Esteban "Steve" Miranda during its 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28.

Miranda has been a prominent freshwater fisheries biologist for the USGS Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit since 1986.The award is the highest honor given by the Association and is presented in conjunction with the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society and the Southeastern Section of the Wildlife Society.

“Dr. Steve Miranda is one...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Corporal Mac Davis the 2020 Colonel Bob Brantley Wildlife Officer of the Year at their 74th annual meeting, held virtually Oct. 26-28. Davis has 20 years of law enforcement experience, including seven with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).

“Our conservation officers do so much more than the already daunting task of law enforcement, and Corporal Davis is no exception,” SEAFWA President Paul Johansen said. “From coordinating fishing derbies for nursing home residents to hosting antler shed hunting...