MINRC Student Application 2018

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) is an organization whose members are the state and federal agencies with primary responsibility for management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 16 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Its objectives are to cultivate friendly relations and mutual understanding among officials engaged in natural resources conservation and to coordinate the programs they administer. SEAFWA also promotes public understanding and appreciation of the importance of conserving natural resources and encourages the management of fish and wildlife resources.  

The Minorities in Natural Resources Conservation (MINRC) subcommittee is actively seeking minority students to participate in the 72st Annual Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Conference. The conference will be held on October 21, 2018 – October 24, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama.  Students are expected to arrive on Saturday, October 20, 2018 no later than 12:00 p.m. to attend a welcome meeting and conference orientation with MINRC professionals. During the SEAFWA Conference, MINRC will conduct student workshops that will provide valuable career development information. Students will participate in round table discussions to share information on selected topics relevant to seeking employment in the natural resource field.  A keynote speaker will motivate the students to continue their quest to reach their goals. There will also be opportunities for students to speak with professionals regarding employment prospects. For more information on the conference, go to http://www.seafwa.org/conferences/2018.  

MINRC will pay for the following expenses:

• Hotel (2 students per room)
• Meals
• Conference registration
• Airfare or reimbursement of gas with a receipt

Students are responsible for their means of transportation to and from their local airport and personal miscellaneous expenses.

Completed application and all materials are due September 07, 2018 and must be submitted electronically to betty.bryant@agfc.ar.gov. Students will be notified during the week of September 24, 2018 to confirm their registration status, where and what time to report to the conference.  

Nominations are being accepted for the 2018 C. W. Watson Award. The Award is given to the nominee who has contributed the most to any of the appropriate areas of fish and wildlife conservation in the southeast (please see http://www.seafwa.org/committees/c.w._watson_award__/ for award format). The Award can be given for a single accomplishment or a series of nonrelated items. According to Committee Chair, Bob Duncan, “The level of competition is so keen for this Award that the category of Career Achievement comes to my mind although the Award is not based on tenure or length of service”. This year’s C. W. Watson Award Committee is chaired by Director Bob Duncan representing SEAFWA Directors. Committee Members include Kevin J. Dockendorf representing the Southern Division of The American Fisheries Society and Emily Jo Williams representing the Southeastern Section of The Wildlife Society.

One hundred years ago, wildlife biologists began determining which plant species provided food and cover for ducks and geese and then how to manage coastal wetlands to promote those plants. Within decades, that knowledge was the basis for managing water levels, water salinity, fire, and land acquisition on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. By the end of the last century, that knowledge also was being used to improve habitat for wading birds, shore birds and other associated species habitat and also in efforts to combat coastal wetland loss.

In 1905, a Florida game warden named Guy Bradley became the first wildlife law enforcement agent killed while performing his duties to protect the nation’s wildlife. Law enforcement agents like Bradley are essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation, from recovering endangered species to managing waterfowl and big game resources.  In honor of Guy Bradley, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established this lifetime achievement award to recognize individuals for their commitment and performance in the field of wildlife law enforcement.

The Guy Bradley Award will be presented to one state agency and one federal agency officer whose dedication and public service to protecting the nation's natural resources demonstrates outstanding leadership, excellence in implementation, knowledge, and actions that have advanced the cause of wildlife conservation.

Jay McAninch given 2017 SEAFWA Directors’ Special Recognition Award

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) presented CEO and President of the Archery Trade Association Jay McAninch with a special recognition award at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. McAninch has led the ATA since 2000, and a hallmark of his tenure has been the rejuvenation of the relationship between industry and the state agencies.

Dan Gibbs named 2017 SEAFWA Wildlife Biologist of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named Dan Gibbs the 2017 Wildlife Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. Gibbs is the Bear Program Leader for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

George C. Palmer Named 2017 SEAFWA Fisheries Biologist of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named George C. Palmer the 2017 Fisheries Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. Palmer has been an aquatic biologist for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) since 2000.

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) as the 2017 SEAFWA Diversity and Inclusion Award winner in the category of Diversity Outreach and Education at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. The AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program partners with community organizations to raise the profile and awareness of conservation within the state’s growing minority communities.

Cindy Dohner named C. W. Watson Award Winner

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) named the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s former Southeast Regional Director Cindy Dohner the 2017 C. W. Watson Award winner at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.

Curtis Hopkins, Ph. D. Named National Blue-Winged Teal Award Winner

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – Oct. 31, 2017 – The North American Waterfowl Management Plan partners recognized Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) retired Director of the Southern Region, Dr. Curtis Hopkins, as the 2017 National Blue-Winged Teal Award winner at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) annual meeting in Louisville this week. The award honors extraordinary commitment to conservation and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP).