Conservation Leaders Honored With 2015 Refuge System Awards

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2015 winners of the National Wildlife Refuge Association's annual National Wildlife Refuge System Awards exemplify the outstanding conservation management skills and volunteer leadership that make the Refuge System the world-class conservation network it is.

Thomas Kerr: The Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of the Year Award
Kerr, Refuge Manager at St. Croix Wetland Management District and Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the Paul Kroegel Award for Refuge Manager of the Year for his dedication to the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and his ability to engage and connect with the local community.

John Vradenburg: Refuge Employee of the Year Award
Vradenburg will receive the Employee of the Year Award for his outstanding work as the Supervisory Biologist at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Vradenburg's dedication to the refuge and its conservation efforts is clear. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to not only ensure the conservation of sensitive species, but also to involve the public in conservation efforts.

Wiley 'Dub' Lyon: Volunteer of the Year Award
Lyon will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his unwavering support for the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Over the past 7 years as a dedicated volunteer, Mr. Lyon has demonstrated a commitment to the refuge, donating his time and services whenever and wherever needed.  Mr. Lyon has been elected as President of the Friends of Balcones twice and was elected to the Board of Directors for the past 6 years.

Friends of the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge: The Molly Krival Friends Group of the Year Award
The Friends of the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico will receive the Molly Krival Friends Group of the Year Award. The award was recently renamed to honor the late Molly Krival – a pioneer of the Friends movement. The Friends of the Bosque Del Apache generate revenue for the community through the Festival of the Cranes, provide environmental education programs for the local students, and advocate on Capitol Hill.

This year's awards will be presented at a reception in Washington, DC on March 24, 2015.

To read more about this year's winners, click here.

For more information or photos, please contact Emily Paciolla, [email protected], 202-417-3803 ext. 20.

SOURCE National Wildlife Refuge Association

Related Links

http://www.refugeassociation.org