04/02/2026
The Inaugural NATIVE PEOPLES' WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP Indigenous Peoples' Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Award is now accepting nominations.
About the Award
The Wildlife Society (TWS) honors professional excellence, recognizes outstanding achievement, and highlights contributions to wildlife science and management. Special recognition promotes the professional growth of TWS members, provides the membership with role models and strengthens the image of members in the eyes of their peers, employers and society. The Indigenous Peoples' Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Award, administered through the TWS Native Peoples' Wildlife Management Working Group (NPWMWG), was established to celebrate the achievements and contributions of members of the NPWMWG. The award can recognize a singular activity (e.g., program, event) or accumulated efforts (e.g., career-long engagement). Additionally, to increase the visibility of and uplift the NPWMWG membership, all nominations will be considered by the NPWMWG Awards Committee for any applicable TWS-wide award, if agreed upon by both the nominator and the Awards Committee.
Eligibility & Nomination Criteria
- Individuals, organizations, and groups are eligible.
- The nominee or primary contact person (in the case of an organization or group) must have participated in or supported the NPWMWG at any level within the past 5 years. Examples include but are not limited to: serving in a leadership position, organizing a workshop, symposium or other event, or involvement in the Native Student Professional Development Program.
- The nomination must demonstrate how the individual, organization, or group has engaged with at least one of the following goals of the NPWMWG:
Enhance cooperative relationships among Native governments, state and provincial governments and federal government agencies related to wildlife management issues.
Facilitate communication and the exchange of information among members of The Wildlife Society interested in wildlife management issues facing Native People.
Enhance knowledge and technical capabilities of wildlife professionals in natural resource issues as they affect native people.
Promote native projects and programs that benefit wildlife resources and enhance wildlife management opportunities for native people.
Encourage native students to pursue careers in wildlife professions.
Increase public awareness and appreciation of traditional knowledge and viewpoints of native people regarding wildlife and wildlife management.
Enhance an understanding of the full range of cultural, spiritual and subsistence values of wildlife to native people.
Enhance the awareness of Federal Trust responsibilities of Federal agencies with regard to native people and wildlife management issues to the public and wildlife professionals.
Assist The Wildlife Society in preparing position statements and policies related to issues as they affect native people.
Submit Your Nomination
Complete the nomination form at the link below to recognize valuable contributions to NPWMWG:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGgYcdulTaseDCIYsc-_UlkjIGRk4D4Et6_rpD6l2cNwqTrg/viewform?usp=publish-editor
For questions, please contact [email protected].
Know someone who has participated in The Wildlife Society Native Peoples' Working Group who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them here! Nominations due April 8, 2026. Contact: [email protected]
