FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2020
Mississippi Wildlife Federation Announces Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet and Conservation Award Winners

The Mississippi Wildlife Federation will present the winners of the 2019 Conservation Achievement Awards at a luncheon in Jackson, MS on March 19. The awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to conservation in Mississippi over the past year. “So many times, conservationists go about their work quietly and diligently, never seeking praise nor receiving recognition for their efforts. These awards are a wonderful way to shine a light on the efforts of the people and groups who do so much for the natural resources of this state,” said Ashlee Ellis Smith, Chief Executive Officer of MWF. “This year’s honorees are truly deserving of these special awards.”
Winners of the 2019 Conservation Achievement Awards are:

Conservationist of the Year – The late Kathy Shelton,
Wildlife Conservationist of the Year – Dr. Robert L. Jones, Brandon
Fisheries Conservationist of the Year – Dr. J. Marcus Drymon, Biloxi
Forest Conservationist of the Year – Dr. Lisa Yager, Columbia
Conservation Educator of the Year – Lisa Batson Browning, Purvis
Conservation Officer of the Year – Keith Davis, Jackson and Biloxi
Conservation Communicator of the Year – Gene Knight, Oxford
Corporate Conservationist of the Year – Two Brooks Farm, Sumner
MWF Scholarship Recipient – To be announced
Catch-A-Dream Volunteers of the Year – Bill Reed, Eupora
MWF President’s Award – Paul Rodrigue, Water Valley and Andrew Whitehurst, Madison for their Adopt-A-Stream work

This will be the 60 th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Luncheon and will be held at noon on March 19 at the Hilton of Jackson. The Conservation Achievement Awards are made possible through sponsorships. To sponsor the event, or to buy a table or tickets to attend the luncheon, please call (601) 605-1790 or email karen@mswf.org.