2018 Awards

The Raymond F. Dasmann Award for the Professional of the Year went to Kevin Hunting.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is one of the oldest and largest state wildlife agencies in the United States. Kevin’s job as Chief Deputy of the Department is equivalent to a chief operating officer. He championed the creation of the Department’s first Science Institute to improve scientific community among the agency’s scientists. Kevin chaired national efforts between state wildlife agencies on climate change adaptation that led to the state’s wildlife adaptation strategies to climate change. Kevin is recognized as a national leader in wildlife assessments of large-scale renewable energy projects and was the Department’s liaison on many federal task forces and the state’s efforts to build a portfolio of renewable energy assets while minimizing environmental impacts.

The ESRP facilitates endangered species recovery and resolves conservation conflicts through scientifically based recovery planning and implementation. It was established in 1992 at the request and support of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation and is administered by California State University, Stanislaus. The ESRP has conducted 25 years of research and management focused on recovering endangered species within the San Joaquin Valley. It has a long history of cooperation with other agencies and universities and has trained dozens of conservation professionals.

Among the many accomplishments in 2017, the San Joaquin Valley Chapter held a N

atural Communities

Conference in Bakersfield, published 93-page field guide to the plants of the southern San Joaquin Valley, offered a rare plant field trip to the Carrizo Plain, and held a three-day advanced tracking workshop in Tulare County. The Chapter also created the Champion for Wildlife award to recognize outstanding contributions to the conservation of wildlife in the San Joaquin Valley. In addition, they organized talks by local wildlife professionals and a meadow restoration activity in Yosemite for the TWS student conclave. They also provided over $12,000 in funding to support the TWS student conclave, thesis research, travel grants to the TWS-WS annual conference, and the rehabilitation of mange-afflicted San Joaquin kit foxes.

During his time as faculty at UC Davis, Dr. Sacks has mentored many students and professionals, including 3 post-doctoral scholars, 2 visiting international students, 23 wildlife graduate students, 2 veterinary school students, 29 undergraduate interns, and 6 technical staff. His mentoring has led numerous students to further academic pursuits and professional placement. His curiosity, availability, and patience has defined mentorship.