Howard L. Wieger's Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Award
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.
Club Awards
Range Management Club
Trail Boss Award
Clara Freese
The Trail Boss Award is given to an individual who has significantly contributed to the club throughout their membership by staying actively engaged, motivated others, and worked hard to prepare for competitions.
Soil Judging Team
Trowel Award
Diego Sanchez
The Trowel Award is given to a team member for their signifcant contribution to team competitions and fundraisers during their first year of membership.
Soil Judging Team
Sharp Shooter Award
Anna Newcome
The SharpShooter Award is given to a team member for their signifcant contributions to team by staying actively engaged, motivating others, and working hard to perpare for competitions and fundraising events.
Wildlife Club
Brian Smith Outstanding Student Award
Trevor Johnson
This award, named in honor of UNL student Brian Smith, honors a member of the Wildlife Club in good standing who is a major in Fisheries and Wildlife or Environmental Studies and has been actively involved.
Ron Case Scholarship
Jacob Vankat
This award recognizes students in Fisheries and Wildlife who are active members of the club and meet a 3.0+ GPA level. This Scholarship supports students as they pursue their education while involved in leadership.
Ron Case Scholarship
Trevor Johnson
Out in CASNR Club
Outstanding Student Award
Nathan Swenson
The OUTstanding Student Award recognizes the exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact of a student who has made valuable contributions to the CASNR community. This award honors a student who has gone above and beyond in fostering inclusivity, advocacy, and visibility, particularly through their involvment with OUT in CASNR and other campus initiatives.
School of Natural Resources Awards
Graduate Student Meritorious Award
Sara Brock-Contreras, Ph.D. Candidate
The Meritorious Graduate Student Award is given to honor our best students, recognizing academic achievements, research, teaching contributions, leadership accomplishments, service and personal qualities demonstrated during their tenure in the School of Natural Resources.
Graduate Student Meritorious Award
Maddy Vasquez, M.S. Candidate
Postdoctoral Excellence Award
Hugh Ellerman
This award recognizes a postdoctoral associate for exceptional work and service.
Staff Recognition Award
Matt Gruntorad
This award recognizes the positive contributions of a School of Natural Resources or Natural Resources Business Center (NRBC) staff member.
Staff Recognition Award
Brooke Mott
Staff Inspiration Award
Sara Winn
This award recognizes is student nominated and recognizes staff who have inspired our students.
Early Career Faculty Award
Rene Martin
This award recognizes faculty who have impacted the School's mission within the first 6 years of their career at UNL.
Extended Service Faculty Award
Deborah Bathke
This award recognizes faculty who have made a substantial impact on the School's mission over the course of their career at UNL.
Early Career Excellence Alumni Award
Zach Schafer
This award recognizes alumni who have graduated from UNL within the last 10 years and have shown a great impact in their career field.
Distinguished Service Alumni Award
Jeff Obrecht
This award recognizes alumni who have made a substantial impact over the course of their career, and since graduating from UNL.
Faculty Inspiration Award
Rob Wilson
This award is student nominated and recognizes faculty who inspire our students.
Award photos by Marissa Lindemann