Past Recipients
2024: Jim Cardoza

The 2024 citation for the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, announced by President Mark Tisa (MA):
And now, it is my high honor to announce the 2024 McDowell Award winner, Jim Cardoza, long-term employee of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
This year’s recipient is known to many of you.
Jim is no stranger to our rich wildlife management legacy in the Northeast. In fact, he has been central to that legacy.
On the ground floor of some of the most important wildlife restoration projects in the Country, Jim’s keen intelligence, attention to detail, and commitment to the science of wildlife management is admired throughout the profession.
Consider the fact that it was not too long ago when the Eastern wild turkeys were absent from our forested landscape. Today, even as I speak, gobblers are in full strut in every corner of the Northeast. They’ll soon fly to roost, and in just a few days, thousands of hunters will be afield and celebrating their return to our landscapes. Jim was on the ground floor as a key architect of the restoration of wild turkeys in the Northeast.
Jim pioneered innovative methods for studying black bears and became one of the Country’s leading experts on this challenging species. With hands-on experience over a 45-year period, today’s black bear managers rely on the ground-breaking work of Jim Cardoza.
Over the last 50 years, the science of wildlife management has made great advances. Jim has been prominent in ensuring that wildlife professionals have access to those advances through the dozens and dozens of peer-reviewed articles, participation at professional conferences, like this one, and adherence to the highest standards consistent with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
And an impressive fact about Jim’s attendance at the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference: This week marks the 50th…the 50th! Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference he has attended.
Many natural resource professionals, both past and present, have benefited from Jim’s razor-sharp memory, knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
His knowledge of the history and present status of wildlife in the Northeast, of all types, is truly encyclopedic. That’s because he literally wrote the books that document that history. Not only that, but he also wrote the book documenting the history of my agency from 1866 to 2012.
A 40-year veteran of my agency, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, after retiring he hardly rested. He not only designed our fish and wildlife research library, but he also continues to maintain it to this day. For this reason, we have honored his legacy by naming this key research asset in Jim’s name.
Jim has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1966, and active in the Northeast Section since 1968. He is a Charter Member of the New England Chapter of TWS. He has been a Certified Wildlife Biologist since 1978.
But before all of this, before his illustrious career as one of our most accomplished wildlife biologists, our winner served his Country with distinction during the Vietnam War, as a young officer, freshly commissioned from his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts.
Indeed, it is an honor to recognize the 2024 recipient of the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, James E. Cardoza, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (retired).
And now, it is my high honor to announce the 2024 McDowell Award winner, Jim Cardoza, long-term employee of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
This year’s recipient is known to many of you.
Jim is no stranger to our rich wildlife management legacy in the Northeast. In fact, he has been central to that legacy.
On the ground floor of some of the most important wildlife restoration projects in the Country, Jim’s keen intelligence, attention to detail, and commitment to the science of wildlife management is admired throughout the profession.
Consider the fact that it was not too long ago when the Eastern wild turkeys were absent from our forested landscape. Today, even as I speak, gobblers are in full strut in every corner of the Northeast. They’ll soon fly to roost, and in just a few days, thousands of hunters will be afield and celebrating their return to our landscapes. Jim was on the ground floor as a key architect of the restoration of wild turkeys in the Northeast.
Jim pioneered innovative methods for studying black bears and became one of the Country’s leading experts on this challenging species. With hands-on experience over a 45-year period, today’s black bear managers rely on the ground-breaking work of Jim Cardoza.
Over the last 50 years, the science of wildlife management has made great advances. Jim has been prominent in ensuring that wildlife professionals have access to those advances through the dozens and dozens of peer-reviewed articles, participation at professional conferences, like this one, and adherence to the highest standards consistent with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
And an impressive fact about Jim’s attendance at the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference: This week marks the 50th…the 50th! Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference he has attended.
Many natural resource professionals, both past and present, have benefited from Jim’s razor-sharp memory, knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
His knowledge of the history and present status of wildlife in the Northeast, of all types, is truly encyclopedic. That’s because he literally wrote the books that document that history. Not only that, but he also wrote the book documenting the history of my agency from 1866 to 2012.
A 40-year veteran of my agency, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, after retiring he hardly rested. He not only designed our fish and wildlife research library, but he also continues to maintain it to this day. For this reason, we have honored his legacy by naming this key research asset in Jim’s name.
Jim has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1966, and active in the Northeast Section since 1968. He is a Charter Member of the New England Chapter of TWS. He has been a Certified Wildlife Biologist since 1978.
But before all of this, before his illustrious career as one of our most accomplished wildlife biologists, our winner served his Country with distinction during the Vietnam War, as a young officer, freshly commissioned from his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts.
Indeed, it is an honor to recognize the 2024 recipient of the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, James E. Cardoza, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (retired).
2023: Dr. Krysten L. Schuler

Dr. Krysten L. Schuler of Cornell University received the highest honor from the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—The Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
Dr. Krysten is a wildlife disease ecologist at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health.
In announcing the award during the Association’s 78th Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 2023, President Mark Tisa made the following remarks:
“Dr. Krysten Schuler is a nationally known and highly respected scientist who has consistently shown a long-term commitment to wildlife conservation and stewardship.
One of our most challenging and important wildlife management problems is chronic wasting disease. Dr. Schuler has been a strong voice for sensible policies and protocols now used by state agencies to deal with CWD.
With CWD and other wildlife diseases, Dr. Schuler understands that disease response needs to be at the landscape scale. For this reason, she has focused work on building interagency partnerships to ensure that the response to wildlife diseases is both timely and effective.
Dr. Schuler’s research and management interests go well beyond CWD, including support to state agencies as they deal with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, and West Nile Virus, among others.
Dr. Schuler is an outstanding teacher and trainer and has personally led workshops to teach field personnel how to respond to reports of wildlife diseases with an emphasis on field safety, and a focus on practical field skills for wildlife personnel.
While Dr. Schuler is a clear national leader in the wildlife disease field, she is particularly active in the Northeast. Just recently, she assisted the State Directors as they developed the regional wildlife disease coordination role and served on the search committee for the new coordinator. Her knowledge of the wildlife disease field was pivotal in helping the search committee to evaluate and ultimately to select the best candidate to serve as the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Health Coordinator.
Beyond these professional accomplishments, Dr. Schuler is known to be a highly sought-after team member who consistently makes solid and valuable contributions to any topic she engages in, volunteers to take on important tasks, and does so with grace, humor, and intelligence.
For the Northeast Agencies, and beyond, Dr. Krysten L. Schuler is a consummate professional, and her accomplishments have only just begun. We can all expect much more from her in the years to follow. And we can be sure that her contributions will have the highest stature and importance.
On behalf of the state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies, I congratulate Dr. Krysten L. Schuler for her accomplishments in the field of wildlife disease ecology, and her unwavering commitment to the use of sound science in managing wildlife diseases.”
Dr. Krysten is a wildlife disease ecologist at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health.
In announcing the award during the Association’s 78th Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 2023, President Mark Tisa made the following remarks:
“Dr. Krysten Schuler is a nationally known and highly respected scientist who has consistently shown a long-term commitment to wildlife conservation and stewardship.
One of our most challenging and important wildlife management problems is chronic wasting disease. Dr. Schuler has been a strong voice for sensible policies and protocols now used by state agencies to deal with CWD.
With CWD and other wildlife diseases, Dr. Schuler understands that disease response needs to be at the landscape scale. For this reason, she has focused work on building interagency partnerships to ensure that the response to wildlife diseases is both timely and effective.
Dr. Schuler’s research and management interests go well beyond CWD, including support to state agencies as they deal with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, and West Nile Virus, among others.
Dr. Schuler is an outstanding teacher and trainer and has personally led workshops to teach field personnel how to respond to reports of wildlife diseases with an emphasis on field safety, and a focus on practical field skills for wildlife personnel.
While Dr. Schuler is a clear national leader in the wildlife disease field, she is particularly active in the Northeast. Just recently, she assisted the State Directors as they developed the regional wildlife disease coordination role and served on the search committee for the new coordinator. Her knowledge of the wildlife disease field was pivotal in helping the search committee to evaluate and ultimately to select the best candidate to serve as the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Health Coordinator.
Beyond these professional accomplishments, Dr. Schuler is known to be a highly sought-after team member who consistently makes solid and valuable contributions to any topic she engages in, volunteers to take on important tasks, and does so with grace, humor, and intelligence.
For the Northeast Agencies, and beyond, Dr. Krysten L. Schuler is a consummate professional, and her accomplishments have only just begun. We can all expect much more from her in the years to follow. And we can be sure that her contributions will have the highest stature and importance.
On behalf of the state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies, I congratulate Dr. Krysten L. Schuler for her accomplishments in the field of wildlife disease ecology, and her unwavering commitment to the use of sound science in managing wildlife diseases.”
2022: Scot Williamson

Scot Williamson, with the Wildlife Management Institute, was awarded the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence in 2022.
President Mark Tisa’s remarks when announcing this recognition follow--
It is my high honor to announce the 2022 McDowell Award winner.
This year’s recipient is well known to many of you. Indeed, you have worked with this professional for many years.
Here in the Northeast, we are rightly proud of our regional accomplishments. We have a long history of collaboration and cooperation amongst state and provincial agencies, federal agencies, academic institutions, and the nongovernmental sector. With today’s complex fish and wildlife management challenges, we simply cannot accomplish as much working alone, as we can working together. That’s the hallmark here in the Northeast.
That said, collaboration and cooperation is hard work. It takes coordination. It takes commitment. It takes someone to pull together the numerous administrative requirements of large, multi-agency and multi-year efforts.
Fifteen years ago, the Northeast Directors started a program called “Regional Conservation Needs” which uses a small percentage of state wildlife grants funding available to each state to fund regional projects to benefit species of greatest conservation need. During the ensuing 15 years, the states, working with our partners, have funded dozens and dozens of important conservation initiatives to benefit species in need. But this work doesn’t happen all by itself. It requires tremendous coordination and administrative support. This year’s recipient has been central to the success of the RCN program.
From 2006 to 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered the New England cottontail a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 2015, the Service removed the cottontail as a candidate service, once they confirmed that sufficient conservation actions were underway by the states to conserve their habitat and their populations. This year’s award winner has been on the ground floor of this effort from the start, consistently helping with important administrative details and serving as a key facilitator. Today, in part because of that commitment, the New England cottontail’s future is forward looking.
Indeed, recognizing that Northeast forestlands are uniformly mature, and that many wildlife species require young forests, including the new England cottontail, our award winner has been a key leader and proponent of state and federal land management practices to create a balanced landscape with young forests. That work includes key support to state fish and wildlife agencies in facilitating the hiring of habitat management specialists to implement management actions on the ground. Those habitats are crucial to many bird species, including whippoorwills and American woodcock, along with many invertebrates forming the basis for the food chain. The interagency American woodcock management plan came together largely because of this year’s award efforts tireless efforts on behalf of wildlife.
The consummate problem solver, this year’s winner is as levelheaded and as cool as they come. In our complicated management environment, this calm and steady attitude is deeply appreciated. Deeply respected for his professionalism, dignity, and skill, this year’s award winner is central to the success of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies as we work together to implement regional projects.
For these reasons, it is my honor to congratulate this year’s winner of the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence to Scot Williamson with the Wildlife Management Institute.
President Mark Tisa’s remarks when announcing this recognition follow--
It is my high honor to announce the 2022 McDowell Award winner.
This year’s recipient is well known to many of you. Indeed, you have worked with this professional for many years.
Here in the Northeast, we are rightly proud of our regional accomplishments. We have a long history of collaboration and cooperation amongst state and provincial agencies, federal agencies, academic institutions, and the nongovernmental sector. With today’s complex fish and wildlife management challenges, we simply cannot accomplish as much working alone, as we can working together. That’s the hallmark here in the Northeast.
That said, collaboration and cooperation is hard work. It takes coordination. It takes commitment. It takes someone to pull together the numerous administrative requirements of large, multi-agency and multi-year efforts.
Fifteen years ago, the Northeast Directors started a program called “Regional Conservation Needs” which uses a small percentage of state wildlife grants funding available to each state to fund regional projects to benefit species of greatest conservation need. During the ensuing 15 years, the states, working with our partners, have funded dozens and dozens of important conservation initiatives to benefit species in need. But this work doesn’t happen all by itself. It requires tremendous coordination and administrative support. This year’s recipient has been central to the success of the RCN program.
From 2006 to 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered the New England cottontail a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 2015, the Service removed the cottontail as a candidate service, once they confirmed that sufficient conservation actions were underway by the states to conserve their habitat and their populations. This year’s award winner has been on the ground floor of this effort from the start, consistently helping with important administrative details and serving as a key facilitator. Today, in part because of that commitment, the New England cottontail’s future is forward looking.
Indeed, recognizing that Northeast forestlands are uniformly mature, and that many wildlife species require young forests, including the new England cottontail, our award winner has been a key leader and proponent of state and federal land management practices to create a balanced landscape with young forests. That work includes key support to state fish and wildlife agencies in facilitating the hiring of habitat management specialists to implement management actions on the ground. Those habitats are crucial to many bird species, including whippoorwills and American woodcock, along with many invertebrates forming the basis for the food chain. The interagency American woodcock management plan came together largely because of this year’s award efforts tireless efforts on behalf of wildlife.
The consummate problem solver, this year’s winner is as levelheaded and as cool as they come. In our complicated management environment, this calm and steady attitude is deeply appreciated. Deeply respected for his professionalism, dignity, and skill, this year’s award winner is central to the success of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies as we work together to implement regional projects.
For these reasons, it is my honor to congratulate this year’s winner of the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence to Scot Williamson with the Wildlife Management Institute.
2021: Rebecca Gwynn

Rebecca Gwynn, with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, is the winner of the 2021 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
For over 30 years, Becky Gwynn has personified a commitment to wildlife resources, and has become a true giant of conservation.
A pioneering leader in the conservation of species at-risk, Becky has led efforts to implement the State Wildlife Grants program both regionally and nationally, as well as the development of a state Wildlife Action Plan.
Recognizing that habitat is a key to the survival of at-risk species, Becky was instrumental in conserving over 8,000 acres of critical habitat to protect a wide diversity of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. For her efforts, she was recognized for highly effective leadership and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation.
A frequent “go to” expert, Becky is in high demand for wisdom and technical expertise in solving challenging conservation problems, across multiple jurisdictions and competing interests. Seen as the consummate “servant leader,” Becky is highly respected at home, regionally, and nationally.
The Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is very proud of the accomplishments of the Association’s Fish and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee, and Becky Gwynn has not only served as chair of that committee but has served as one of their key leaders for more than 20 years.
A key accomplishment has been guiding the development of our list of regional species of greatest conservation need and setting priorities for research and management activities funded by the Association’s Regional Conservation Needs Program. This program has garnered both regional and national recognition for its innovative approaches to landscape-scale conservation problems, and Becky’s leadership has proven highly influential in national-level discussions about landscape conservation for at-risk species.
Within the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Becky is known as a highly respected, capable, and creative leader and colleague. It is not surprising, therefore, that Becky Gwynn has been named the Department’s Deputy Director.
It is for these reasons, and many more, that Becky Gwynn has received the 2021 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
For over 30 years, Becky Gwynn has personified a commitment to wildlife resources, and has become a true giant of conservation.
A pioneering leader in the conservation of species at-risk, Becky has led efforts to implement the State Wildlife Grants program both regionally and nationally, as well as the development of a state Wildlife Action Plan.
Recognizing that habitat is a key to the survival of at-risk species, Becky was instrumental in conserving over 8,000 acres of critical habitat to protect a wide diversity of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. For her efforts, she was recognized for highly effective leadership and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation.
A frequent “go to” expert, Becky is in high demand for wisdom and technical expertise in solving challenging conservation problems, across multiple jurisdictions and competing interests. Seen as the consummate “servant leader,” Becky is highly respected at home, regionally, and nationally.
The Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is very proud of the accomplishments of the Association’s Fish and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee, and Becky Gwynn has not only served as chair of that committee but has served as one of their key leaders for more than 20 years.
A key accomplishment has been guiding the development of our list of regional species of greatest conservation need and setting priorities for research and management activities funded by the Association’s Regional Conservation Needs Program. This program has garnered both regional and national recognition for its innovative approaches to landscape-scale conservation problems, and Becky’s leadership has proven highly influential in national-level discussions about landscape conservation for at-risk species.
Within the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Becky is known as a highly respected, capable, and creative leader and colleague. It is not surprising, therefore, that Becky Gwynn has been named the Department’s Deputy Director.
It is for these reasons, and many more, that Becky Gwynn has received the 2021 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
2020: Paulette S. Nelson

Paulette S. Nelson is the winner of the 2020 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
For nearly 35 years, Paulette has been a passionate advocate for New Jersey’s fish and wildlife resources and retired in 2019 as the Assistant Director of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
For nearly 15 years, Paulette was actively engaged with both the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies through active attendance at their meetings and serving on various committees and workgroups. She served as the Vice Chair of AFWA’s Education, Outreach and Diversity Committee, and she was a member of the Wildlife Trust Funds, Teaming with Wildlife, Legislative and Federal Budget, and Threatened and Endangered Species Policy Committees.
Paulette’s leadership skills ultimately led to her becoming the first woman to serve as Assistant Director, where she led the Division’s Office of Business Administration, Bureau of Information and Education, Office of Federal Aid Coordination, the Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics, the Office of Environmental Review, and the Office of Mosquito Control Coordination. Assistant Director Nelson also managed the Division’s complex $40 million budget that includes dedicated license sales revenue, State-appropriated funds, federal grants, and New Jersey State tax check-off funds.
Paulette was the first New Jersey employee to graduate from the National Conservation Leadership Institute. As a NCLI Fellow, she applied adaptive leadership skills to the challenges the agency faced with the State’s legislative system, bills impacting fish and wildlife management, and to testifying before key legislative committees.
Paulette has extensive knowledge of Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) at both the national and state level. Through her leadership, New Jersey hired a R3 coordinator to lead efforts in that state to advance important objectives related to hunting, shooting, and fishing.
Assistant Director Nelson was instrumental in advancing national initiatives to provide permanent funding for fish and wildlife, first in advocating for the Teaming with Wildlife initiative, and more recently with the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Using her leadership and networking skills, Paulette coordinated New Jersey’s engagement with conservation partners to educate their Congressional Delegation about the importance of comprehensive and permanent funding for all fish and wildlife species.
Because of her passionate commitment to fish and wildlife management, Paulette S. Nelson is a recognized leader and influencer not only in New Jersey, but regionally and nationally.
Paulette S. Nelson richly deserves to receive the 2020 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
For nearly 35 years, Paulette has been a passionate advocate for New Jersey’s fish and wildlife resources and retired in 2019 as the Assistant Director of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
For nearly 15 years, Paulette was actively engaged with both the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies through active attendance at their meetings and serving on various committees and workgroups. She served as the Vice Chair of AFWA’s Education, Outreach and Diversity Committee, and she was a member of the Wildlife Trust Funds, Teaming with Wildlife, Legislative and Federal Budget, and Threatened and Endangered Species Policy Committees.
Paulette’s leadership skills ultimately led to her becoming the first woman to serve as Assistant Director, where she led the Division’s Office of Business Administration, Bureau of Information and Education, Office of Federal Aid Coordination, the Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics, the Office of Environmental Review, and the Office of Mosquito Control Coordination. Assistant Director Nelson also managed the Division’s complex $40 million budget that includes dedicated license sales revenue, State-appropriated funds, federal grants, and New Jersey State tax check-off funds.
Paulette was the first New Jersey employee to graduate from the National Conservation Leadership Institute. As a NCLI Fellow, she applied adaptive leadership skills to the challenges the agency faced with the State’s legislative system, bills impacting fish and wildlife management, and to testifying before key legislative committees.
Paulette has extensive knowledge of Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) at both the national and state level. Through her leadership, New Jersey hired a R3 coordinator to lead efforts in that state to advance important objectives related to hunting, shooting, and fishing.
Assistant Director Nelson was instrumental in advancing national initiatives to provide permanent funding for fish and wildlife, first in advocating for the Teaming with Wildlife initiative, and more recently with the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Using her leadership and networking skills, Paulette coordinated New Jersey’s engagement with conservation partners to educate their Congressional Delegation about the importance of comprehensive and permanent funding for all fish and wildlife species.
Because of her passionate commitment to fish and wildlife management, Paulette S. Nelson is a recognized leader and influencer not only in New Jersey, but regionally and nationally.
Paulette S. Nelson richly deserves to receive the 2020 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
2019: Karen Terwilliger

Karen Terwilliger (Locustville, Virginia), a career natural resource professional with 40 years of experience working in the federal, state, and private sectors has received the 2019 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, the highest honor awarded by the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Ms. Terwilliger received the Award at the Association’s annual awards ceremony held on April 15, 2019 in Groton, Connecticut.
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces.
Ms. Terwilliger is the founder and principal of Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., based in Locustville, Virginia, on the Delmarva Peninsula. Karen Terwilliger has demonstrated a deep commitment to the conservation of fish and wildlife diversity in the Northeast Region and beyond for four decades. Karen began her life-long work strategically protecting species as a state agency and federal agency biologist managing both game and nongame species, and then as the first Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Manager in the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. After transitioning to consulting, she continued to work with integrity and passion for the stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. On September 21, 2018, Karen was named by Governor Ralph Northam to serve as a member of the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, representing Region 1 of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Karen has offered her expertise and leadership to numerous organizations including The Wildlife Society, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and her local land trust. In addition, her 70-acre homestead on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is managed as migratory bird habitat and more than 1,000 people tour her demonstration farm every year.
This award is presented to an individual who meets the following criteria:
In making this Award, NEAFWA President Paul Johansen (West Virginia) read the following citation:
Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets ALL of these criteria.
We honor a career conservation profession with extensive leadership experience, over 40 years in the federal, state, and private sectors, a person both respected and admired.
Not only has our award winner been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, both game and nongame, our award winner has been a stalwart supporter of the public enjoyment of fish and wildlife, thereby fostering the perpetuation of the conservation ethic.
Our award winner has been a conservation champion not only the professional level, but also at the personal level, including teaching young people and local citizens the joys of nature.
When professionals in the Northeast think about this year’s award winner, the descriptive words one hears are “unwavering commitment,” “leadership,” “visionary,” “pragmatic,” “valued mentor,” and “dedicated.”
This year’s award winner understands that conservation requires collaboration at all levels. A skillful team leader and facilitator, our award winner excels at bringing people with broad perspectives together for a common purpose—the delivery of conservation on the ground.
Our award winner is also a pioneer. It was not long ago that state fish and wildlife agencies began paying attention to nongame and endangered species. Over forty years ago, we started breaking new ground, expanding the conservation skills and energies of fisheries and wildlife professionals to the world of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, piping plovers, and Delmarva fox squirrels. Our award winner was at the ground floor, establishing enduring programs to conserve the full array of valued wildlife species. With that experience, our award winner mentored (and continues to mentor) an entire generation of fish and wildlife biologists who have brought the conservation of rare species to a place of prominence in state fish and wildlife agencies.
Nowhere has our award winner been more prominent than in the development of state wildlife action plans, the blueprint for the conservation of all fish and wildlife species. Not only has our award winner led or made significant contributions to the production of numerous comprehensive conservation plans on behalf of states in the Northeast, we recognize a person today who continues to actively help the states understand, interpret, and use the complex information now available to conservation practitioners, both inside and outside of government, stemming from the commitment of state fish and wildlife agencies to conserve biodiversity.
Sometimes the true measure of a professional becomes absolutely clear when we understand their work outside of their professional circles. Our award winner’s activities and accomplishments outside of the work setting are equally as impressive as those already described.
A highly respected conservation champion in her home state, she now serves on the policy-making Board for her fish and wildlife agency. A Gubernatorial appointee, this is obvious proof of her accomplishments and standing in the conservation community.
If all of that was not enough, she practices what she preaches. Living on Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula on a 70-acre homestead, each year she opens her property to over 1,000 citizens to demonstrate what on-the-ground conservation looks like, enhancing fish and wildlife habitat in her fields, woods, and marshes. Without a doubt, her passion for conservation has left a mark on thousands of children who have come to know nature’s joy through her generous spirit.
When the Directors established this award, they sought to recognize professionals who leave an enduring legacy for fish and wildlife conservation. At every level, today’s award winner has done just that.
She is the consummate professional, respected by all who know her, and a true friend and mentor who has inspired many of us.
For these reasons, I am pleased to announce that the 2019 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to Karen Terwilliger.
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces.
Ms. Terwilliger is the founder and principal of Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., based in Locustville, Virginia, on the Delmarva Peninsula. Karen Terwilliger has demonstrated a deep commitment to the conservation of fish and wildlife diversity in the Northeast Region and beyond for four decades. Karen began her life-long work strategically protecting species as a state agency and federal agency biologist managing both game and nongame species, and then as the first Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Manager in the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. After transitioning to consulting, she continued to work with integrity and passion for the stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. On September 21, 2018, Karen was named by Governor Ralph Northam to serve as a member of the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, representing Region 1 of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Karen has offered her expertise and leadership to numerous organizations including The Wildlife Society, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and her local land trust. In addition, her 70-acre homestead on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is managed as migratory bird habitat and more than 1,000 people tour her demonstration farm every year.
This award is presented to an individual who meets the following criteria:
- Has a long-term commitment to fish and wildlife resources and the stewardship of those resources;
- Has made outstanding achievements on behalf of those resources as well as in the field of fish and wildlife management;
- Has fostered a vision for the future preservation, conservation and use of those resources and an ability to affect change toward that vision;
- Who nurtures and supports future generations of natural resource managers through innovative information, education, and outreach; and
- Who has an affiliation of some type with the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
In making this Award, NEAFWA President Paul Johansen (West Virginia) read the following citation:
Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets ALL of these criteria.
We honor a career conservation profession with extensive leadership experience, over 40 years in the federal, state, and private sectors, a person both respected and admired.
Not only has our award winner been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, both game and nongame, our award winner has been a stalwart supporter of the public enjoyment of fish and wildlife, thereby fostering the perpetuation of the conservation ethic.
Our award winner has been a conservation champion not only the professional level, but also at the personal level, including teaching young people and local citizens the joys of nature.
When professionals in the Northeast think about this year’s award winner, the descriptive words one hears are “unwavering commitment,” “leadership,” “visionary,” “pragmatic,” “valued mentor,” and “dedicated.”
This year’s award winner understands that conservation requires collaboration at all levels. A skillful team leader and facilitator, our award winner excels at bringing people with broad perspectives together for a common purpose—the delivery of conservation on the ground.
Our award winner is also a pioneer. It was not long ago that state fish and wildlife agencies began paying attention to nongame and endangered species. Over forty years ago, we started breaking new ground, expanding the conservation skills and energies of fisheries and wildlife professionals to the world of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, piping plovers, and Delmarva fox squirrels. Our award winner was at the ground floor, establishing enduring programs to conserve the full array of valued wildlife species. With that experience, our award winner mentored (and continues to mentor) an entire generation of fish and wildlife biologists who have brought the conservation of rare species to a place of prominence in state fish and wildlife agencies.
Nowhere has our award winner been more prominent than in the development of state wildlife action plans, the blueprint for the conservation of all fish and wildlife species. Not only has our award winner led or made significant contributions to the production of numerous comprehensive conservation plans on behalf of states in the Northeast, we recognize a person today who continues to actively help the states understand, interpret, and use the complex information now available to conservation practitioners, both inside and outside of government, stemming from the commitment of state fish and wildlife agencies to conserve biodiversity.
Sometimes the true measure of a professional becomes absolutely clear when we understand their work outside of their professional circles. Our award winner’s activities and accomplishments outside of the work setting are equally as impressive as those already described.
A highly respected conservation champion in her home state, she now serves on the policy-making Board for her fish and wildlife agency. A Gubernatorial appointee, this is obvious proof of her accomplishments and standing in the conservation community.
If all of that was not enough, she practices what she preaches. Living on Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula on a 70-acre homestead, each year she opens her property to over 1,000 citizens to demonstrate what on-the-ground conservation looks like, enhancing fish and wildlife habitat in her fields, woods, and marshes. Without a doubt, her passion for conservation has left a mark on thousands of children who have come to know nature’s joy through her generous spirit.
When the Directors established this award, they sought to recognize professionals who leave an enduring legacy for fish and wildlife conservation. At every level, today’s award winner has done just that.
She is the consummate professional, respected by all who know her, and a true friend and mentor who has inspired many of us.
For these reasons, I am pleased to announce that the 2019 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to Karen Terwilliger.
2018: Wendi Weber

This Award Citation was read by President James Connolly during the annual awards ceremony at the 2018 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference
Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets all of the criteria established by the Northeast Directors for the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
We honor a career conservation profession with extensive leadership experience—A person both respected and admired.
Not only has our award winner been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, our award winner has been a stalwart supporter of the public use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife, thereby fostering the perpetuation of the conservation ethic.
When professionals in the Northeast think about this year’s award winner, the descriptive words that one hears are “leader,” “visionary,” “committed,” “collaborative,” and “cooperative.”
While it’s always been true that effective conservation requires collaboration, our award winner has exceled at the difficult task of motivating and inspiring citizens; key stakeholders; elected leaders; policy makers; and colleagues in other agencies-- both state and federal. Indeed, our award winner understands that conservation today does not happen in the absence of partnerships and teamwork.
When Super Storm Sandy struck the East Coast, our award winner stepped forward to advance an important principle: That Nature designs the best Infrastructure to protect the Coast. By investing in Nature through marsh rehabilitation and the restoration of tidal flow in coastal tributaries, we not only conserve fish and wildlife, we protect homes, transportation corridors, and businesses. These coastal conservation initiatives will provide long-term social and economic benefits for our citizens, while helping to conserve and enhance populations of river herring, striped bass, blue-claw crabs, black ducks, saltmarsh sparrows, and black rails, among other coastal fish and wildlife species.
When Hurricane Irene struck Vermont with unprecedented flooding, our award winner recognized that from tragedy, opportunities emerge. With the White River National Fish Hatchery nearly destroyed, but with an appreciation for the fact that restoration was not just feasible but proper, our award winner led a multi-agency effort to not only rebuild this critical conservation infrastructure, but also to meet important contemporary conservation needs to restore stocks of native salmonids. For anglers and conservationists who appreciate the value of native Lake Trout and Land-locked Salmon in the Great Lakes, we can point to the leadership of our award winner for “tight lines” and lots of smiles in our angling community. At the dedication ceremony to reopen White River, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy made a succinct statement, “This is a story of heroics…” We agree.
Such conservation success stories require a multifaceted team approach, with all team members pulling in the same direction. But when you pull an oar, it takes a leader to steer the boat, and our award winner meets every test of a respected Captain.
Nowhere has this been more evident than in the work of the northeastern states to conserve the New England cottontail. Because of long-term landscape-scale habitat alteration throughout their native range, the New England cottontail is indeed in perilous condition. With careful attention to the requirements of the Endangered Species Act with a focus on the Congressional intention of the Act…. namely conserving and restoring rare species…. our award winner has proven the value of cooperation and collaboration in conservation. That approach works, and our success with the New England cottontail effort is proven to be a respected model now in use for other landscape scale conservation, such as work to protect Monarch butterflies.
As Regional Director for the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, overseeing over 800 employees, and as a Fish and Wildlife Service employee for 20 years, our award winner has converted her personal passion for nature, beginning with her fascination with sea turtles, to a professional commitment to make a difference.
She is making a difference for fish and wildlife, she is making a difference for outdoor enthusiasts, she is making a difference for our Country’s natural heritage.
For these reasons, I am pleased to announce that the 2018 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to Wendi Weber.
Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets all of the criteria established by the Northeast Directors for the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence.
We honor a career conservation profession with extensive leadership experience—A person both respected and admired.
Not only has our award winner been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, our award winner has been a stalwart supporter of the public use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife, thereby fostering the perpetuation of the conservation ethic.
When professionals in the Northeast think about this year’s award winner, the descriptive words that one hears are “leader,” “visionary,” “committed,” “collaborative,” and “cooperative.”
While it’s always been true that effective conservation requires collaboration, our award winner has exceled at the difficult task of motivating and inspiring citizens; key stakeholders; elected leaders; policy makers; and colleagues in other agencies-- both state and federal. Indeed, our award winner understands that conservation today does not happen in the absence of partnerships and teamwork.
When Super Storm Sandy struck the East Coast, our award winner stepped forward to advance an important principle: That Nature designs the best Infrastructure to protect the Coast. By investing in Nature through marsh rehabilitation and the restoration of tidal flow in coastal tributaries, we not only conserve fish and wildlife, we protect homes, transportation corridors, and businesses. These coastal conservation initiatives will provide long-term social and economic benefits for our citizens, while helping to conserve and enhance populations of river herring, striped bass, blue-claw crabs, black ducks, saltmarsh sparrows, and black rails, among other coastal fish and wildlife species.
When Hurricane Irene struck Vermont with unprecedented flooding, our award winner recognized that from tragedy, opportunities emerge. With the White River National Fish Hatchery nearly destroyed, but with an appreciation for the fact that restoration was not just feasible but proper, our award winner led a multi-agency effort to not only rebuild this critical conservation infrastructure, but also to meet important contemporary conservation needs to restore stocks of native salmonids. For anglers and conservationists who appreciate the value of native Lake Trout and Land-locked Salmon in the Great Lakes, we can point to the leadership of our award winner for “tight lines” and lots of smiles in our angling community. At the dedication ceremony to reopen White River, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy made a succinct statement, “This is a story of heroics…” We agree.
Such conservation success stories require a multifaceted team approach, with all team members pulling in the same direction. But when you pull an oar, it takes a leader to steer the boat, and our award winner meets every test of a respected Captain.
Nowhere has this been more evident than in the work of the northeastern states to conserve the New England cottontail. Because of long-term landscape-scale habitat alteration throughout their native range, the New England cottontail is indeed in perilous condition. With careful attention to the requirements of the Endangered Species Act with a focus on the Congressional intention of the Act…. namely conserving and restoring rare species…. our award winner has proven the value of cooperation and collaboration in conservation. That approach works, and our success with the New England cottontail effort is proven to be a respected model now in use for other landscape scale conservation, such as work to protect Monarch butterflies.
As Regional Director for the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, overseeing over 800 employees, and as a Fish and Wildlife Service employee for 20 years, our award winner has converted her personal passion for nature, beginning with her fascination with sea turtles, to a professional commitment to make a difference.
She is making a difference for fish and wildlife, she is making a difference for outdoor enthusiasts, she is making a difference for our Country’s natural heritage.
For these reasons, I am pleased to announce that the 2018 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to Wendi Weber.
2017: David A. Chanda

This Award Citation was read by President Catherine Sparks during the annual awards ceremony at the 2017 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces. Robert McDowell, the Award’s namesake, was the first recipient of this award. Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets these criteria. We honor a career conservation profession with over 35 years of experience working at all levels within his agency. Not only has he been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, he has been a stalwart supporter of hunters, anglers, and trappers throughout his career. Recognizing the importance of “big picture” initiatives, he has been very active within the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and took on key leadership positions with both. As a leader in his agency, he focused on balancing their budget and generating new revenues; increasing the state’s wildlife management area to over 350,000 acres; and promoting wildlife-related recreation. During his tenure, he oversaw the recovery of endangered and threatened species, including osprey, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons. Understanding the importance of effective public outreach, he has been a strong advocate for advancing fish and wildlife education in his state. More than anything else, our recipient is a LEADER. Once in a generation, an opportunity comes along to change the very nature of our profession, and the agencies that serve the fish and wildlife community. In March 2016, the Blue Ribbon Panel issued its report calling for a commitment to add $1.3 billion to our collective efforts to restore and conserve fish and wildlife diversity in the United States. This year’s McDowell Award is being given to not only recognize the lifetime achievements of our recipient as he put his shoulder to the wheel on a daily basis in his state, but to also acknowledge the key leadership role he played in developing the recommendations adopted by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Those recommendations, once implemented, will change the very nature of fish and wildlife conservation in the United States. As President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, he personally led the State’s to commit considerable resources to the hard work needed to convert the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations from an idea to reality. That hard work is underway as we speak. When legislation is signed into law to make the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendation a reality, it will be in no small part due to the hard work and commitment of a true giant of conservation, and for that reason it is my honor to announce that the 2017 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to David A. Chanda.
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces. Robert McDowell, the Award’s namesake, was the first recipient of this award. Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets these criteria. We honor a career conservation profession with over 35 years of experience working at all levels within his agency. Not only has he been a passionate advocate for fish and wildlife, he has been a stalwart supporter of hunters, anglers, and trappers throughout his career. Recognizing the importance of “big picture” initiatives, he has been very active within the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and took on key leadership positions with both. As a leader in his agency, he focused on balancing their budget and generating new revenues; increasing the state’s wildlife management area to over 350,000 acres; and promoting wildlife-related recreation. During his tenure, he oversaw the recovery of endangered and threatened species, including osprey, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons. Understanding the importance of effective public outreach, he has been a strong advocate for advancing fish and wildlife education in his state. More than anything else, our recipient is a LEADER. Once in a generation, an opportunity comes along to change the very nature of our profession, and the agencies that serve the fish and wildlife community. In March 2016, the Blue Ribbon Panel issued its report calling for a commitment to add $1.3 billion to our collective efforts to restore and conserve fish and wildlife diversity in the United States. This year’s McDowell Award is being given to not only recognize the lifetime achievements of our recipient as he put his shoulder to the wheel on a daily basis in his state, but to also acknowledge the key leadership role he played in developing the recommendations adopted by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Those recommendations, once implemented, will change the very nature of fish and wildlife conservation in the United States. As President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, he personally led the State’s to commit considerable resources to the hard work needed to convert the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations from an idea to reality. That hard work is underway as we speak. When legislation is signed into law to make the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendation a reality, it will be in no small part due to the hard work and commitment of a true giant of conservation, and for that reason it is my honor to announce that the 2017 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence is awarded to David A. Chanda.
2016: Thomas A. Decker

This Award Citation was read by President Catherine Sparks during the annual awards ceremony at the 2016 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces. Robert McDowell, the Award’s namesake, was the first recipient of this award. Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets ALL of the criteria established for the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence. We honor a professional who has worked for nearly 30 years in both federal and state fish and wildlife agencies. At every stage of his career, he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers, fellow professionals, and the public who he serves with both skill and dignity. We honor a professional who has been active not only within the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society, but who also has been active at the national level in The Wildlife Society. We honor a professional who has actively participated in the Northeast Wildlife Administrators Association, as well as with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He has been instrumental in leading a national effort to protect the integrity of furbearer management when international threats emerged in the 1990s, and continues to ensure that state and federal policy makers remain vigilant in protecting our interests at both the national and international level. To that end, our Awardee has been at the forefront of transferring knowledge and expertise to a new generation of wildlife biologists. Just yesterday, here in Annapolis, he helped lead a “Trapping Matters Workshop,” to teach state and federal biologists about Best Management Practices and the importance of sound furbearer management. Indeed, there are few places within our profession where today’s awardee has not been active, continually leading efforts to sustain and improve wildlife management. With experience as a wildlife biologist in both Vermont and Massachusetts, and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our Awardee has always performed with integrity, humility, and with the highest standards of professionalism. When the Directors’ conceived the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, the 2016 recipient of this award is EXACTLY what we had in mind. That is, this Award is to go to someone who personifies conservation management excellence, and who has made enduring contributions to the integrity of modern fish and wildlife management. For this reason, it is all together fitting that the 2016 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence be awarded to Thomas A. Decker.
The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces. Robert McDowell, the Award’s namesake, was the first recipient of this award. Today, we honor a professional and colleague of the highest stature who meets ALL of the criteria established for the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence. We honor a professional who has worked for nearly 30 years in both federal and state fish and wildlife agencies. At every stage of his career, he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers, fellow professionals, and the public who he serves with both skill and dignity. We honor a professional who has been active not only within the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society, but who also has been active at the national level in The Wildlife Society. We honor a professional who has actively participated in the Northeast Wildlife Administrators Association, as well as with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He has been instrumental in leading a national effort to protect the integrity of furbearer management when international threats emerged in the 1990s, and continues to ensure that state and federal policy makers remain vigilant in protecting our interests at both the national and international level. To that end, our Awardee has been at the forefront of transferring knowledge and expertise to a new generation of wildlife biologists. Just yesterday, here in Annapolis, he helped lead a “Trapping Matters Workshop,” to teach state and federal biologists about Best Management Practices and the importance of sound furbearer management. Indeed, there are few places within our profession where today’s awardee has not been active, continually leading efforts to sustain and improve wildlife management. With experience as a wildlife biologist in both Vermont and Massachusetts, and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our Awardee has always performed with integrity, humility, and with the highest standards of professionalism. When the Directors’ conceived the Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence, the 2016 recipient of this award is EXACTLY what we had in mind. That is, this Award is to go to someone who personifies conservation management excellence, and who has made enduring contributions to the integrity of modern fish and wildlife management. For this reason, it is all together fitting that the 2016 Robert McDowell Award for Conservation Management Excellence be awarded to Thomas A. Decker.
2015: Robert McDowell

This Award Citation was read by President John Arway during the annual awards ceremony at the 2015 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference.
Robert McDowell is the recipient of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies highest award, named in his honor. Bob is a former director of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and worked as a conservation professional for 46 years in various capacities. Bob was the Association’s first Executive Secretary, serving the Association for 12 years following his retirement from the State of New Jersey. Bob is widely recognized as a conservation leader at all levels—local, state, national, and even internationally. He was very active with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, including serving as AFWA’s President. He was frequently called on as an expert by other states and organizations for consultation on a variety of fish and wildlife management challenges, including with the United States Congress, various legislative committees in the New Jersey State Legislature, with even with the country of Zimbabwe. As Director, Bob spearheaded an effort to protect over 260,000 acres of public open space within New Jersey’s Wildlife Management Area System (a system that now exceeds 340,000 acres). Bob was instrumental in starting the “Delaware Bay Initiative,” a coalition of local, state, and federal agencies working in concert with key conservation organizations to protect the wetlands associated with this vital estuary. Bob served as a Commissioner for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, as Chair of the Atlantic Flyway Council, and as the former President of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. In recognition of his national leadership accomplishments, Bob was awarded the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies “Ernest Thompson Seton Award” for the promotion of professional fish and wildlife management. He also was recognized by the prestigious Pope and Young Club as the 1998 Conservationist of the Year.
Robert McDowell is the recipient of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies highest award, named in his honor. Bob is a former director of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and worked as a conservation professional for 46 years in various capacities. Bob was the Association’s first Executive Secretary, serving the Association for 12 years following his retirement from the State of New Jersey. Bob is widely recognized as a conservation leader at all levels—local, state, national, and even internationally. He was very active with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, including serving as AFWA’s President. He was frequently called on as an expert by other states and organizations for consultation on a variety of fish and wildlife management challenges, including with the United States Congress, various legislative committees in the New Jersey State Legislature, with even with the country of Zimbabwe. As Director, Bob spearheaded an effort to protect over 260,000 acres of public open space within New Jersey’s Wildlife Management Area System (a system that now exceeds 340,000 acres). Bob was instrumental in starting the “Delaware Bay Initiative,” a coalition of local, state, and federal agencies working in concert with key conservation organizations to protect the wetlands associated with this vital estuary. Bob served as a Commissioner for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, as Chair of the Atlantic Flyway Council, and as the former President of the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. In recognition of his national leadership accomplishments, Bob was awarded the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies “Ernest Thompson Seton Award” for the promotion of professional fish and wildlife management. He also was recognized by the prestigious Pope and Young Club as the 1998 Conservationist of the Year.