The Best Student Poster Presentation Award is given to promote student participation at the Society's Annual Meetings and to recognize excellence in poster presentations.

Eligibility requirements:

• Active student
• Must submit abstract and attend Annual Meeting

More details about how to submit your abstract for consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting will be shared here when available.

Past Winners

The SWS Board of Directors is pleased to offer a Development Grant to Chapters and Sections in order to expand programs and membership in keeping with our mission to promote understanding, conservation, scientifically based management, and sustainable use of wetlands throughout the world. The term of the grant is a maximum of two years and amounts up to $4,000 will be considered by the SWS Awards Committee. Up to two winners will be selected each year. Chapters and Sections can apply for the Grant by completing an application where they must outline their objectives.

Selection of Chapters and/or Sections to receive funding is based on demonstration of need, quality of proposal, statement of objectives, and likelihood of success. Grant money will be transferred to the Chapter/Section account on an incremental basis. The Chapter president and treasurer/Section Chair will be responsible for sending an annual report to the Board of Directors and the SWS Awards Committee detailing how the money was spent and how goals have (or have not) been met. There will be an opportunity for explanation after one year if goals have not yet been met. A final report will be due at the end of the grant period. Email info@sws.org if you have any questions.

Applications for 2025 will be available April 7, 2025. The deadline will be July 1, 2025.

The Doug Wilcox Award for Outstanding Associate Editor of Wetlands is awarded each year based on the recommendation of the Editor-in-Chief of Wetlands.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Fellow Award is the highest recognition of membership bestowed by the Society. Fellows are active members of the Society (for 10 or more years) who have been nominated by other active members to receive the honor, selected by the Fellows Committee.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Human Diversity Award recognizes individuals that have made significant contributions to increasing the human diversity within the wetland community and of future wetland scientists through mentoring, teaching, outreach, and research focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Contributions may be based on career accomplishments or singular contributions to wetland science that are both notable and significant. Any individual in the wetland science community (including non-members) is eligible.

Nomination requirements:

• Nomination letter (3 pages max) detailing specific educational achievements and impacts
• Nominee's CV
• Up to three letters of support
• Optional: examples of educational documents

Submit your nomination here.

Nomination deadline: March 15, 2025

The International Fellow Award is presented to an internationally outstanding wetland scientist for distinguished contributions to the field of wetland science and for fostering the aims of the SWS within their own country and abroad. Offered on even numbered years.

Nomination requirements:

• Nominee must live and work outside the U.S.
• Nomination letter (three pages max)
• Nominee's CV
• Two letters of support

Past Winners

The International Travel Awards are provided for financial assistance to wetland scientists who are disadvantaged through regional economic conditions to enhance their participation in Society activities. The goal of this award is to foster the participation of international membership through a travel grant to an Annual Meeting and free membership for three years in SWS.

The International Travel Award Committee recommends several awards generally of $500-2,500 based on the quality of applications, according to a range of criteria:
1. Early career is prioritized over fully established scientists
2. Potential benefit to recipient
3. Potential benefit to home institution/country
4. Potential wider impact of participation (e.g. contribution anticipated in meeting)
5. Quality of submitted abstract of paper or poster.
6. Scientific accomplishments of the applicant
7. Effort made to secure funding from elsewhere - and result, if known

Past Winners

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have achieved special distinction in their career through contributions to wetland science and management, specific to research, education, or policy. The award comes with a Lifetime membership in the Society and is offered in odd-numbered years.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Mark Brinson Best Student Oral Presentation Award is given to promote student participation at the Society's Annual Meetings and to recognize excellence in oral presentations.

Eligibility requirements:

• Active student
• Must submit abstract and attend Annual Meeting

More details about how to submit your abstract for consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting will be shared here when available.

Past Winners

The Merit Award recognizes individuals for specific accomplishments in any field of wetland science and management in order to inspire future efforts. The award comes with a three-year membership in the Society.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes SWS members who have made special contributions to wetland education (public, academic, or professional). This annual award comes with a three-year membership in the society for the three years following the award, and waived registration fees to attend the Annual Meeting when the award is conferred.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Practitioner Award recognizes individuals or organizations who have made a significant and enduring contribution to advancing wetland management practice through the development of new methods, techniques, tools, or strategies for management. Nominees must have demonstrated innovation and excellence in one or more of the following categories:

• Project Conceptualization, such as the development of a new approach or approaches to wetland management
• Project Implementation, such as research and development of new techniques or tools for wetland management practices
• Project Evaluation, such as research and development of new indicators or criteria for measuring management success

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The President's Service Award recognizes those members who have made significant contributions by serving the Society and its members. Recipients of the Service Award have promoted the goals of the Society in their efforts that extend above and beyond their duties as teachers, researchers, and administrators. Awardees are determined by the current SWS President.

Recent Winners

Past Winners

The Sponsors and Endowment Award is presented to individuals, organizations, or corporations in recognition of financial sponsorship or endowment.

The SWS Multicultural Mentoring Program (SWaMMP) is our society’s program for mentoring up and coming wetland scientists from diverse backgrounds. The SWaMMP Champion Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to SWaMMP through mentoring, promotion, or other noteworthy contributions.

Recent Winners