Awards

Award Descriptions

• Raymond F. Dasmann Award – Past Recipients
• Conservationist of the Year – Past Recipients
• James D. Yoakum Award – Past Recipients
• Diversity Award
• Chapter of the Year – Past Recipients
• Barrett A. Garrison “Outstanding Mentor Award” – Past Recipients
• TWS Distinguished Service Award – Link to TWS Awards page

Awards Recipients by Award

• List of all past award winners by award

Awards Recipients by Year

• 2025 Award Recipients
• 2024 Award Recipients
• 2023 Award Recipients
• 2022 Award Recipients
• 2021 Award Recipients
• 2020 Award Recipients
• 2019 Award Recipients
• 2018 Award Recipients
• 2017 Award Recipients
• 2016 Award Recipients
• 2015 Award Recipients
• 2014 Award Recipients
• 2013 Award Recipients
• 2012 Award Recipients
• 2011 Award Recipients

Raymond F. Dasmann Award for the Professional of the Year

The “Dasmann Award” is presented by the Western Section to Professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to wildlife resources management and understanding in California, Nevada, Hawaii or Guam.
Qualifications of Nominee: The nominee can be any member(s) of the Wildlife Society-Western Section, who develops, applies, administers or completes an especially significant program of management, education, research or communications that results in an outstanding contribution to wildlife resources in the Western Section geographic area.

The Conservationist of the Year Award

The Conservationist of the Year Award is presented by the Western Section to a person or group, engaged in wildlife conservation either as a profession or as an avocation, who has made an outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation in California, Nevada, Hawaii or Guam.
Qualifications of Nominee: The nominee can be any individual or group who has demonstrated an active concern for wildlife conservation by accomplishing projects or programs that have significantly enhanced wildlife resource conservation within the Western Section geographical area.

The James D. Yoakum Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment to The Western Section of The Wildlife Society

The “James D. Yoakum Award” is intended to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding, long-term service, support, and commitment to the Western Section of The Wildlife Society.
Qualifications of Nominee: The nominee must be a member of The Wildlife Society and of The Western Section and must have dedicated a substantial amount of time, energy, and personal sacrifice to furthering the Section’s goals and facilitating its programs and operations. The Award recognizes service to the organization rather than contributions to wildlife management and conservation, which are recognized by the Section’s two other major awards, the “Raymond F. Dasmann Award for Professional of the Year” and the “Conservationist of the Year Award.”

The Diversity Award

Recognition shall be given to an individual, group, organization, or entity who has contributed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the wildlife profession that substantially affects the Western Section.

The Chapter of the Year Award

The Chapter of the Year Award is awarded to the Chapter and its members that achieved the most toward promoting wildlife conservation and responsible wildlife management in the Western Section region.
Qualifications of Nominee: The nominee must be a Chapter of The Western Section whose members as a whole contributed towards achieving the goals of The Western Section. This can include hosting wildlife training workshops to promote professional development, supporting wildlife students, or initiating and supporting conservation projects.

Barrett A. Garrison “Outstanding Mentor Award”

The “Barrett A. Garrison Outstanding Mentor Award” is bestowed to a professional within California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam who has contributed to our profession by assisting the continued development of students and/or young professionals. Qualifications of Nominee: The responsibility of a mentor is extraordinary. A mentor helps to shape and promote a young career. The nominee can be any member(s) of the Wildlife Society-Western Section, who is responsible for mentoring young professionals over their career in the Western Section geographic area.

TWS Distinguished Service Award

TWS Distinguished Service is designed to recognize TWS members who have made a long-term commitment to the Society based on membership longevity and TWS service. The member is someone who is/was “always there” and could be counted on to serve the chapter, section, or international organization. The award recognizes individuals who have worked throughout their careers in a variety of ways to further the mission of the Society.

Past Award Winners

Raymond F. Dasmann Professional of the Year

James D Yoakum Award for Outstanding Service

Conservationist of the Year

Barrett A. Garrison “Mentor of the Year”

Chapter of the Year

Outstanding Contributions to Wildlife