SEAFWA News

We are fortunate to have Marcella Kelly of Virginia Tech and David Miller of Penn State University lead our Camera Trap Survey Design and Analysis Workshop.  Camera traps are increasingly being used as a method for monitoring wildlife species, and they allow managers to document a wide-range of relevant biological variables such as occurrence, distribution, phenology and activity patterns, co-occurrence and species interactions, and abundance. In the morning the workshop will focus on the design of camera trap studies, including...

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that State Representative Jack Montoucet will serve as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries effective Jan. 16, 2017. 

“Jack Montoucet is a friend and a true Louisianan,” said Gov. Edwards.  “As a businessman, he understands the complex nature of running an organization such as Wildlife and Fisheries, and as an alligator farmer in Acadiana, he shares my belief that nothing should get in the way of Louisiana remaining the Sportsman’s Paradise.  This single agency represents so much about our culture...

The Missouri Conservation Commission has selected Sara Parker Pauley as the ninth director of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), effective Nov. 1, 2016.

“As a lifelong conservationist, hunter, and outdoorswoman, Sara Parker Pauley appreciates and understands the value of Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources,” said Conservation Commission Chair Dave Murphy. “Sara has a breadth of experience and a proven track record of success to lead the Department.”

“I look forward to this opportunity the Commission has entrusted me with,” Pauley said. “I began...

The MINRC Committee is pleased to announce the 2016 SEAFWA Diversity and Inclusion Awards winners in the categories of workforce diversity and diversity outreach.  The winners, chosen by a small group of volunteers with the SEAFWA MINRC Committee, were judged on their commitment to diversity and inclusion, the effectiveness of their programs, and any partnership developed and used to support their diversity and inclusion goals.

The winner of the workforce diversity and inclusion award is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), for their outstanding...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named W. Matthew Knox the 2016 Wildlife Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Baton Rouge this week. Knox is the deer project co-leader for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF).

“Matt has made significant contributions to important regional and national deer management initiatives,” SEAFWA President Gordon Myers said. “He is depended upon for wisdom and experience on myriad deer-related issues by his peers as evidenced by his being selected to represent wildlife agency deer biologists on...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named Willard E. “Wes” Stewart the 2016 Colonel Bob Brantley Wildlife Officer of the Year at their annual meeting in Baton Rouge this week. Stewart is a private first class conservation officer for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“Each state submits the officer recognized as their officer of the year for consideration of this award, and each and every one of these individuals is deserving of recognition and appreciation,” SEAFWA President Gordon Myers said. “Stewart is certainly not only a great asset...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named John Fischer, DVM, Ph.D. of Athens, Georgia the 2016 C. W. Watson Award winner at their annual meeting in Baton Rouge this week. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.

“Dr. Fischer’s extensive research and associated wildlife disease experience, which spans more than 25 years, has been critical to informing state fish and wildlife agency conservation strategies for decades. His knowledge, understanding of the state and federal wildlife management systems, and ability to bring people to...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Dennis Riecke the 2016 Fisheries Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Baton Rouge this week. Riecke is a fisheries biologist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Dennis Riecke named 2016 SEAFWA Fisheries Biologist of the Year

BATON ROUGE – Oct. 19, 2016 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Dennis Riecke the 2016 Fisheries Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Baton Rouge this week. Riecke is a fisheries...

Beginning October 1, 2016, Rusty Garrison began serving as the Director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. 

Garrison has been with DNR for 18 years, having served most recently as the manager of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. He has served in numerous other capacities, including Assistant Chief of Game Management, State Coordinator of Project WILD, and Chief of the DNR Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Before his career with DNR, Garrison worked for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service...

J.D. Strong, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and former Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment, was selected by the eight-member Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to serve as the new Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

"I firmly believe that sustainably managing and protecting Oklahoma's incredible natural resources is one of our most critical duties to fuel our future prosperity," J.D. Strong, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, who was selected to be the next Director of the Oklahoma Department...