Awards

Awards Given by the School of Natural Resources

Howard L. Wieger's Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Award

Kristal Stoner

2025 Awardee: Kristal Stoner

Kristal Stoner currently servers as Vice President of the National Audubon Society and Executive Director of the Audubon Great Plains, a role in which she provides strategic oversight of conservation programs spanning Nebraska's prairies, river, working lands, and communities. In this capacity, she directs two national recognized nature centers, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and the Ian Nicholson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, where education, bird conservation, and habitat ehancement are central pillars of the mission.

Prior to her leadership at Audubon, Kristal served as the Wildlife Diversity Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. In that role, she co-authored and implemented Nebraska's State Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive framework for conserving at-risk species through cross-divisional, multi-landscape, and public-private partnerships. This plan continues to serve as a guiding conservation document for the state. Her tenure at Game and Parks also included co-leading the launch of the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, which continues to empower Nebraskans to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts across th state.

Throughout her career, Kristal has cultivated and sustained relationships with some of the most influential wildlife conservation organizations in the region and nation. She servers on multiple U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Join Ventrure Boards, where she actively works to expand regional bird conservation. Kristal is a terrific voice for conservation in Nebraska and beyond. Whether addressing policymakers, landowners, students, or the general public, she communicates the urgency and the opportunity of Great Plains conservation with clarity and passion.

Follow Kristal'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

  • 2025 - Michael Forsberg
  • 2024 - Kathy and Joel Sartore
  • 2023 - Larry Vrtiska from Nebraska National Guard
  • 2022 - Not presented
  • 2021 - Not presented (COVID)
  • 2020 - Not presented (COVID)
  • 2019 - Rex Adams
  • 2018 - Not 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"

Zach Schafer

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.

2026 Awardee: Dr. Zach Schafer

Jeff Obrecht

Distinguished Service Alumni Award

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

2026 Awardee: Jeff Obrecht

SNR & Club Awards

Awarded at Spring Banquet 2026

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
Lord AmeyawEarly Achievement in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2026
Deb BathkeExtended Service Faculty Award School of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Sara Brock-ContrerasGraduate Student Meritorious Award - PhDSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Joe DauerCASNR Distinguished Teaching Award College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources | Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor | University of Nebrasa-Lincoln2026
Hugh EllermanPostdoctoral Excellence AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Matt GruntoradStaff Recognition AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Jake HarveyLay Abstract WinnerSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Adda IrebaDean's FellowGraduate Studies | University of Nebraska-Lincoln2026
Rene MartinEarly Career Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Brooke MottStaff RecognitionSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Jerome Okojokwu-IduStudent Luminary AwardStudent Life | UNL2026
Kenneth PyleFriend and Family AwardUnviersity of Nebraska-Lincoln2026
Zach SchaferEarly Career Excellence Alumni AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Maddy Vasquez Graduate Student Meritorious Award - MSSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Rob WilsonFaculty Inspiration AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Sara WinnStaff Inspiration AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2026
Sara WinnDr. Charles Riedesel Outstanding Academic Advising AwardOffice of the Executive Vice Chancellor | University of Nebraska-Lincoln2026
Catherine ChanDean's FellowUNL Graduate Studies2025
Lindsey ChizinskiEarly Achievement in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2025
Alexis DownsOutstanding Undergraduate Student - GeologyDepartment of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences | 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
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 Achievement in Teaching and Learning Faculty AwardCollege of Agriculture and Natural Science Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards | UNL2025
Ann PowersEarly Career Faculty AwaardSchool of Natural Resources | 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