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.

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
Katie CampbellMeritorious Graduate StudentSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Katie CampbellOutstanding Graduate Research and Creative Activities AwardGraduate Studies | UNL2025
Catherine ChanDean's FellowUNL Graduate Studies2025
Baylie FadoolGraduate Student Excellence in Mentoring AwardUNL Graduate Studies2025
Mike ForsbergHoward L. Wiegers Wildlife Conservation AwardUNL Wildlife Club2025
Jake HarveyMeritorious Graduate StudentSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Jeremy HillerStaff Recognition WardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Jeremy HillerStaff Inspiration AwardStudents of School of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Ann PowersEarly Career Faculty AwaardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Abbey SnyderStaff Recognition AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Sumaiya (Oshin) TabassumPostdoctoral Excellence AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Dan UdenFaculty Inspiration AwardStudents of School of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Mark VrtiskaEarly Career Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2025
Dave WedinExtended Service Faculty AwardSchool of Natural Resources UNL2025
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
Becky SchuermanShannon Moncure ScholarshipSNR Human Dimensions2024
Judith (Judy) TurkFaculty Inspiration AwardSchool of Natural Resources | UNL2024
Zachary WhaleyMoeur AwardArizona State University2024