Awards

Awards Given by the School of Natural Resources

Howard L. Wiegers Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Award

Michael Forsberg
Michael Forsberg

2025 Awardee: Michael Forsberg

Michael Forsberg has spent over three decades as a conservationist using photography to tell stories of wildlife and landscapes of North America’s Great Plains. His images have been featured in publications including Audubon, National Geographic, Nature Conservancy, and Sierra magazines. He is the recipient of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography from the Sierra Club, the Environmental Impact Award from the North American Nature Photography Association, and the J. Sherwood Chalmer Medal from The Garden Club of America. Michael’s books include On Ancient Wings – The Sandhill Cranes of North America, Great Plains – America’s Lingering Wild, and Into Whooperland – A photographer’s journey with whooping cranes. Michael is a faculty member in the School of Natural Resources, and he cofounded Platte Basin Timelapse in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Michael Farrell. He is a Fellow with the Center for Great Plains Studies and the Daugherty Water for Food Institute, and a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Follow Michael's Story

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

  • 2024 - Kathy and Joel Sartore
  • 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"

Wyatt Koehler

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.

2025 Awardee: Wyatt Koehler

Tony Barada

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.

2025 Awardee: Tony Barada

SNR & Club Awards

Awarded at Spring Banquet 2025

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
Jake HarveyLay Abstract WinnerSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Catherine ChanDean's FellowUNL Graduate Studies2025
Lindsey ChizinskiEarly Achievement in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Science Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2025
Elizabeth (Liz) EroshenkoChancellor’s FellowshipUNL office of graduate students2025
Elizabeth (Liz) EroshenkoOutstanding Senior in the School of Plant and Environmental Science, Virginia Tech2025
Elizabeth (Liz) EroshenkoJ. Fielding Reed Undergraduate Soil and Plant Sciences Scholarship American Society of Agronomy 2025
Baylie FadoolGraduate Student Excellence in Mentoring AwardUNL Graduate Studies2025
Mike ForsbergHoward L. Wiegers Wildlife Conservation AwardUNL Wildlife Club2025
Bridget GrossEvery Person and Every Interaction Matters: Staff Impact AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award | UNL2025
Jake HarveyOthmer FellowshipSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Jake HarveyMeritorious Graduate StudentSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Mike HayesSustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2025
Jeremy HillerStaff Recognition WardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Jeremy HillerStaff Inspiration AwardStudents of School of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Alec PiperCooper/Sharpless FellowshipAgriculture Research Division | UNL2025
Ann PowersEarly Career Faculty AwaardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Ann PowersEarly Achievement in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Science Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2025
Kenneth PyleEvery Person and Every Interaction Matters: Staff Impact AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award | UNL2025
Owen RahmanCooper/Sharpless FellowshipAgriculture research Division | UNL2025
Elizabeth (Liz) RennerUSFWS Fisheries Academy Leadership Program NomineeUS Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, National Conservation Training Center2025
Adam SuboraCooper/Sharpless FellowshipAgriculture Research Division | UNL2025
Dan UdenFaculty Inspiration AwardStudents of School of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Mark VrtiskaEarly Career Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Emma WatsonCooper/Sharpless FellowshipAgriculture Research Division2025
Dave WedinExtended Service Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources UNL2025
Zachary WhaleyCooper/Sharpless FellowshipAgriculture Research Division | UNL2025
Sara WinnEvery Person and Every Interaction Matters: Staff Impact AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award | UNL2025