National Wildlife Federation National Conservation Awards 2017 AWARDS PROGRAM

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1 National Wildlife Federation National Conservation Awards 2017 AWARDS PROGRAM SKAMANIA LODGE / STEVENSON, WA JUNE 10, 2017

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3 Honorees Environmental League of Massachusetts AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR Lillian Pipping (WI) AFFILIATE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR David Calandro (MO) YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT Richard Mode (NC) CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP Angie Rosser (WV) CHARLIE SHAW CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP AFFILIATE Jim Lyon (DC) CHARLIE SHAW CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION STAFF ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS 3

4 National Conservation Affiliate of the Year Award Recognizing a National Wildlife Federation affiliate organization for conservation accomplishments and contributions to collaborative efforts across the Federation. Environmental League of Massachusetts The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) is committed to protecting land, water, and public health. Working with a diverse set of partners, ELM is a leader in combating climate change and promoting environmental and economic sustainability in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1898, ELM advocates for the protection of habitats and species, land preservation, the promotion of renewable energy, and a range of other issues that impact the environment and quality of life. ELM coordinates the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative, a coalition of more than 40 conservation organizations statewide that work together on a shared agenda. ELM also advocates for state funding for environmental agencies and works to support compact, walkable communities with transportation and housing choices. The work of ELM is a major contributor to the protection of wildlife in Massachusetts. As the Commonwealth s leading environmental advocate, ELM is a tireless supporter of clean energy, leading the charge to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In 2016, ELM worked hand-in-hand with the National Wildlife Federation to champion a state energy bill committing the Commonwealth to generate at least 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power and launching the largest offshore wind industry in the nation. Investing in offshore wind will boost the local economy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and support public health and the protection of wildlife and wild places. The work ELM and its partners have done in support of offshore wind power serves as a model for other states across the country. Ken Pruitt is the Executive Director of the Environmental League of Massachusetts as well as its 501c4 partner organization, the ELM Action Fund. 4 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

5 National Conservation Affiliate Volunteer of the Year Award Recognizing an outstanding NWF affiliate volunteer who gives their time, talents, and service to support the conservation efforts of the Federation. Lillian Pipping FORMER PRESIDENT, WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION Lillian Pipping has spent decades dedicating her time to conservation. In 2007, she was elected president of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) after serving as both 1st and 2nd vice president. Under her leadership, WWF started the Conservation Leadership Corp, working to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. Lil has been involved with the Wisconsin Sportswomen Club (now known as Tri-County Sportswomen, LLC) since 1992, serving in numerous leadership roles. In 1999, she was elected the first female president of the Sheboygan County Conservation Association (SCCA) and still is the only woman to serve in that position. In 2005, Lil and a group of others formed the Friends of Broughton Sheboygan Marsh to protect 14,000 acres of important wilderness areas in the Sheboygan River watershed. Since its founding, Lil has served as president of the Friends of the Marsh. Through her active involvement in these organizations, Lil has organized outdoor activity days, chaired debates for local election candidates, served on strategic planning committees, attended town hall meetings, raised money for outdoor education facilities, staked yard signs on important conservation issues, advised neighboring counties on forming conservation groups, and led efforts to create a county stewardship fund giving countless hours to better the place that she calls home. She started the Sharing the Spirit program, a way for sportspeople to help the elderly in the county and Hunters against Hunger, a program through which hunters donate extra venison to local food pantries. In all that she does, Lil leads by example and has been a true champion for women in conservation. Without a doubt, her leadership and dedication continue to leave an impact on Eastern Wisconsin. Lil and her husband Ken live in Elkhart Lake, WI. They have 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS 5

6 National Conservation Youth Achievement Award Recognizes the special conservation achievements of a young person who has worked to inspire change. David Calandro BOARD OF DIRECTORS MISSOURI CONSERVATION FEDERATION David Calandro recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a double major in forestry and fisheries & wildlife and completed six years of service with the Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic. Throughout his time in school, David was actively involved in The Wildlife Society, the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Society, Forestry Club, the Society of American Foresters, and served as the student body president of the School of Natural Resources for two years. Currently, David works as a wildlife technician for the United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services in Southeast Missouri, protecting Mead s milkweed and Hine s emerald dragonfly habitat from feral swine. David is an alumni of Conservation Federation of Missouri s (CFM) youth education program, the Conservation Leadership Corps, and now serves on the organization s board of directors. David has given countless hours to inspiring other young people to get involved in conservation efforts, organizing volunteer projects, and serving as peer mentor. David founded the Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance, a program of CFM designed to engage college students in conservation efforts across Missouri. His passion for nature extends far beyond the classroom or workplace. David grew up spending time in the outdoors, and enjoys kayaking, fishing, biking, sailing, camping, hunting, and hiking. With both an energy and dedication for conservation, David is already making a real difference and leaving a lasting impact on others. 6 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

7 National Conservation Leadership Award Recognizes sustained conservation commitment and leadership. Richard Mode BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE FEDERATION Love of the outdoors and an unwavering commitment to the conservation of our natural resources is what has driven Richard Mode to spend the last three decades mobilizing other outdoor enthusiasts into a powerful force that has impacted local, state, and federal resource management decisions and legislation. As a board member of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), past president and board chair of Trout Unlimited (TU), and founder of the local Trout Unlimited chapter, he has dedicated his life to advocating for strong conservation policies, organizing networks, and growing and developing organizations. Richard has served for over two decades as the affiliate representative to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) with a collaborative spirit and a positive attitude that leaves a lasting impact on others. Richard s work on clean water, high-quality trout habitat, and vibrant forests has made a measurable impact on the wildlife resources of the Southeast. Through his years with NCWF, TU, and NWF, Richard has been heavily involved in fights to save rivers and overhaul hydropower management decisions so they account for wildlife and fishery resources, minimizing the impacts of timber and mining operations on fish and wildlife by federal and state agencies, defending public lands, and advocating for effective air and water quality legislation. He has spearheaded efforts to engage the agriculture and forestry communities on wildlife and habitat issues related to climate change, including longleaf pine restoration, biomass, early succession habitat management, and carbon sequestration. Richard s chief goal has always been to bring American hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts to the public policy arena to protect the special places and wildlife resources in America. He believes the passion, ethics, and knowledge that hunters, fishermen, and wildlife enthusiasts bring to the table is a necessary ingredient to making good policy decisions. Richard s decadeslong support of NCWF and NWF initiatives is unwavering. The only dedication that trumps this commitment is to his family. Richard is an immense inspiration to his children and grandchildren his grand girls and they no doubt have developed their love of the outdoors through him. ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS 7

8 Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award Affiliate Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated a true appreciation for the value and potential of the NWF-affiliate partnership. This award is made to a volunteer or staff member from an affiliate organization and an NWF staff member. Angie Rosser EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALITION Angie Rosser joined West Virginia Rivers Coalition (WV Rivers) as the executive director in 2012, after serving on the board of directors, with a background of working in West Virginia on social justice issues in the non-profit sector. Angie brings both a professional commitment to conserving natural resources for the common good, as well as a uniquely personal desire to protect the waters of the Elk River that flow through her backyard. As the statewide voice for water-based recreation and clean rivers and streams in West Virginia, WV Rivers unites diverse coalitions who understand the connection between our public recreation lands and the waters on which we all rely. When 2014 s chemical spill occurred on the Elk River in West Virginia, Angie was there to bring voice to the hundreds of thousands of people without water. Named the West Virginia Headwaters Waterkeeper, Angie s work is instrumental to the protection of the six rivers within the Monongahela National Forest which provide drinking water for millions of Americans. With Angie at the helm, WV Rivers broadened its reach and impact at both the state and federal levels, highlighting the need to keep public lands public for all Americans. As an integral part of the National Wildlife Federation, Angie serves as co-chair of the Water Caucus and as co-chair of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, which works to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Angie works to create partnerships on conservation issues with leaders from across the country, but it s her deep passion for the work that inspires others in the Federation and beyond. 8 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

9 Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award National Wildlife Federation Staff Jim Lyon VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONSERVATION POLICY NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION As vice president for conservation policy for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Jim Lyon is instrumental in developing and implementing strategies and campaigns to help the Federation achieve its national policy goals. Throughout his over 20 year tenure with NWF, Jim has engaged on a host of conservation issues, including the Gulf oil spill; climate change and energy policy; conservation funding; Everglades restoration; public lands protections including special places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and defending keystone environmental protection laws like the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Acts, and Endangered Species Act. He has lobbied and testified before Congress, written numerous reports and books on natural resource policy, and worked with many citizen organizations across the country to help communities impacted by environmental degradation and pollution problems. Jim has also represented NWF on numerous coalitions and alliances including the Green Group, Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development, the Blue-Green Alliance, the Partnership Project, the Climate Action Campaign, the American Wind Wildlife Institute, and the Western Coalfield Alliance. As an expert in conservation policy, Jim has spent the past three decades working to bring affiliate and Federation priorities to the fore with national policymakers, elected officials, and the media. Embodying the effectiveness of a true federation, he draws together disparate voices from across the country to form a cohesive movement, believing that when groups align their interests, coordinate their resources, speak collectively, and mobilize their bases, good things happen for wildlife and conservation. ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS 9

10 2018 National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting Award Nominations YOU KNOW ONE. A conservation hero. All across America people and organizations inspire us to protect wildlife for our children s future. They commit their time and energy not for the credit, but for the results. They recognize, as J.N. Ding Darling did at the founding of the National Wildlife Federation in 1936, that if our natural resources vanish, our prosperity, standards of living, and happiness among our people will vanish with them. Recipients of these prestigious awards will be selected based on a review of the nomination information provided to the National Wildlife Federation. The nomination form will ask for a summary of the nominee s achievements. Please consider how your nominee s efforts have: Benefited wildlife, natural resource conservation or environmental protection Served as an example and inspiration to others Visit for more information about the Annual Meeting Awards and to submit a nomination. Nominations are now being accepted. Questions about NWF Annual Meeting Awards may be directed to AnnualMeetingAwards@nwf.org or contact your NWF Regional Representative. 10 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

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