Awards

Awards Given by the School of Natural Resources

Howard L. Wiegers Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Award

Joel and Kathy Sartore
Joel & Kathy Sartore

2024 Awardees: Kathy and Joel Sartore

Kathy and Joel represent the ideal for the Howard L. Wiegers Award. It was originally designed for citizens who went the extra mile for conservation. Joel Sartore is perhaps most noted for being the Creator of the Photo Ark. As citizens, Kathy and Joel have purchased land in Sheridan County that is primarily pasture but has abundant marshland and lakes as well. This habitat is home to thousands of birds including Long-billed Curlews and many species of waterfowl. They have partnered with a father, daughter ranch team who share similar visions of conservation, to oversee the property. These purchases have further enhanced habitats for the Long-Billed Curlew and as Joel stated, "This is real conservation stuff." The land is in a trust so that it is maintained at its current level of use. This show of dedication to conservation alone would qualify the Sartores for the award. However, they have also purchased two small farms and pasture near Valparaiso that are also managed sustainably. Kathy and Joel have restored ponds and planted native grasses and wildflowers to provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. These personal acquisitions made by Kathy and Joel Sartore, for the betterment of conservation of plants and wildlife, is an outstanding commitment.

This prestigious award honors members of our community who have devoted their lives to conservation of wildlife and have inspired many others through their work and accomplishments. Members of the UNL Wildlife Club solicit nominations for this award each spring, and the Wildlife Club’s officer team selects the winner of the award.

Award History

List of Previous Winners

  • 2023 - Larry Vrtiska from Nebraska National Guard
  • 2022 - Not presented
  • 2021 - N/A (COVID)
  • 2020 - N/A (COVID)
  • 2019 - Rex Adams
  • 2018 - No presented
  • 2017 - Clayton Stallings
  • 2016 - Mark Brogie
  • 2015 - Frank Andelt
  • 2014 - Lyle & Alice Sittler
  • 2013 - McKenzie Barry
  • 2012 - Henry Brandt
  • 2011 - Walt L. Bagley
  • 2010 - Platte River Basins Environment, Scottsbluff
  • 2009 - Wes Sheets
  • 2008 - Ione Werthman
  • 2007 - Keith Brown
  • 2006 - Dave Titterington
  • 2005 - Guenter & Johanna Schwerdtle
  • 2004 - Sam & amp; Vicky Cowan
  • 2003 - Raptor Recovery Nebraska
  • 2002 - Alman Conover
  • 2001 - Pioneers Park Nature Center
  • 2000 - Rich Wiese
  • 1999 - Steve & Cheryl Eno
  • 1998 - Prairie Plains Resource Institute
  • 1997 - Spring Wing Ding, Clay Center
  • 1996 - Kim & Vicky Wheeler, Raymond
  • 1995 - John H. Jacobson
  • 1994 - Ray & Jane Otto, Ceresco
  • 1993 - Pheasants Forever - South Central Chapter
  • 1992 - Larry Harkrader
  • 1991 - Keigh Coffin
  • 1990 - Phil Pfeiffer, Lincoln
  • 1989 - Leonard Schlueter, Seward
  • 1988 - Naomi Brill, Lincoln
  • 1987 - Robert H. Warrick, Meadow Grove
  • 1986 - Dr. Stephen M. Kerr, Gering
  • 1985 - Donald & Arlene Doerr, Creighton
  • 1984 - Mabel & John Ott, Lincoln
  • 1983 - Leigh Future Farmers of America
  • 1982 - Ernest Rousek, Lincoln
  • 1981 - Fred & Paula Wigington, Schuyler
  • 1980 - Dean Stone, Republican City | Davey Kennel Club, Davey1
  • 1979 - Donald Forney, Lakeside | Nebraska Trophy Fish Unlimited, Lincoln1
  • 1978 - Cecil McCullough, Bassett | Wachiska Audubon Society Chapter, Lincoln1
  • 1977 - Kenneth Petska, Ord | Otoe County Wildlife Club, Nebraska City1
  • 1976 - Gun Club, Anisworth1 | Bruce Kennedy, Malcolm Sandhills Rod1
  • 1975 - Bently & Doris Fosbender, Firth1
  • 1974 - Lincoln Izaak Walton League1
  • 1973 - Herbet Newman, Stuart1
  • 1972 - Vic Thompson, Newport1
  • 1971 - Bruce Cowgill, Silver Creek1
  • 1970 - Claude, J. Livingston, Wauneta1
  • 1969 - Einar Andersen, Edgar1
  • 1968 - Mrs. Herbert C. Fuller, Omaha1
  • 1967 - Mrs. John Lueshen, Wisner1
  • 1966 - Gerald "Bud" Campbell, Ravenna1

1 - Originally name "Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservationalist Award"

Alexa Davis

Early Career Excellence Alumni Award

This award recognizes alumni who have graduated from UNL within the last 10 years and have shown a great impact in their career field.

2024 Awardee: Alexa Davis

Randy Stutheit

Distinguished Service Alumni Award

This award recognizes alumni who have made a substantial impact over the course of their career, and since graduating from UNL.

2024 Awardee: Randy Stutheit

SNR & Club Awards

Awarded at Spring Banquet 2024

Awards Received by Members of the School of Natural Resources Community

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Recent Awards

RecipientAward TitleAwarded ByYear
Megan BaldissaraWilliam L. Baxter ScholarshipNebraska chapters of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever2024
Mark BurbachExtended Service Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
John CarrollJames O’Hanlon Academic Leader AwardUniversity of Nebarska-Lincoln2024
Lindsey ChizinskiEarly Career Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Sruti Das ChoudhuryFaculty Inclusive Excellence (Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards)College of Agricultural and Natural Resources | UNL2024
Robert (Bob) DiffendalWisherd Award for Outstanding Service to UNLUNL Emeriti and Retirees Association2024
Ethan DittmerBest Masters Student PresentationNorth American Duck Symposium2024
Baylie FadoolAES Student Travel AwardAmerican Elasmobranch Society2024
Baylie FadoolRaney Fund AwardAmerican Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists2024
Dennis FerraroOutstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor AwardUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln2024
Katherine GrahamMeritorious Graduate Student School of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Ayse KilicRoyce J. Tipton AwardAmerican Society of Civil Engineers2024
Ayse KilicMargaret S. Petersen AwardAmerican Society of Civil Engineers2024
Bryan LeavittStaff Recognition Award - SpringSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Carly OlsonPostdoctoral Excellence AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Becky SchuermanShannon Moncure ScholarshipSNR Human Dimensions2024
Judith (Judy) TurkFaculty Inspiration AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Emma BalunekDonald W. and Glennis A. Kaufman Research AwardAmerican Society of Mammalogists2023
Sophia BeckerOutstanding Student Persentation (Oral)American Geophysical Union2023
John BensonEarly Achievement Faculty AwardCASNR | Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award2023
John CarrollCareer Professional Award The Wildlife Society (Nebraska Chapter)2023
Carolina CórdovaLTAR Early Career Award Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network2023
Karen GilbertStaff Recognition Award - SpringSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2023
Israt JahanOthmer Fellowship2023
Carlee MoatesGraduate Teaching and Learning AwardCASNR | Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award2023
Judith (Judy) TurkEarly Achievement Faculty AwardCASNR | Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award2023
Dan UdenJunior Faculty Excellence in ResearchAgricultural Research Division | UNL2023
Michele WaszgisStaff Recognition Award - FallSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2023
Rebecca WyattMilton E. Mohr FellowshipNebraska Center for Biotechnology2023