Society Awards
The SWS awards program strives to acknowledge outstanding contributors in wetland science and service and looks to honor those who have made a major impact in the field. This award program not only honors award recipients, but also creates awareness of the progress and leadership that takes place within the field.
Nominations call for most awards happens in February of every year and awards are presented at the SWS Annual Meeting.
Interested in our SWS student research grants? Click here to learn more.
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 2024 Annual Meeting will be shared here when available.
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2022 | Edgar Guerron Orejuela | University of South Florida |
| Andrew MacKenzie | West Virginia University | |
| 2021 | Samantha Garcia | Northeastern Illinois University |
| 2019 | Samantha McCabe | Ohio State University |
| 2017 | Anna Braswell | Duke University |
| 2016 | Julia Stuart | Villanova University |
| 2015 | Melissa Pastore | Villanova University |
| 2014 | Aliana Britson | Pennsylvania State University |
| 2013 | Anita Arenas | California State University - Long Beach |
| 2012 | Rupesh Bhomia | University of Florida |
| 2011 | Elodie Maillard | Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg |
| 2010 | Alan Leslie | University of Maryland |
| 2009 | Brett Dietz | Penn State University |
| 2008 | Carolina Mendez | University of California - Los Angeles |
| 2007 | Amy Campbell | The Ohio State University |
| 2006 | Jan-Olaf Meynecke | Griffith University, Australia |
| 2005 | Jeffrey Smith | University of Florida |
| 2004 | Katarzyna Dyszy | University of Alberta |
| 2003 | Wyatt Hartman | Cornell University |
| 2002 | Amanda Nahlik | Kenyon College, OH |
| 2001 | Melynda May | |
| 2000 | Isa Woo | University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| 1999 | Allison R. Aldous | Cornell University |
| 1998 | Merritt Tuetsky | Villanova University |
| 1997 | Laurie Bishel-Machung | Illinois History Survey |
| 1996 | Uygar Ozesmi | Ohio State University |
| 1995 | Robert Nairn | Ohio State University |
| 1994 | Ferenc A. DeSzalay | University of California-Berkeley |
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.
More details about how to submit an application for 2024 will be shared here when available.
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.
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Dr. Alan Dixon | University of Worcester |
| 2022 | Hongqing Wang | |
| 2021 | Junhong Bai, PhD | Beijing Normal University |
| 2020 | Michael Osland, PhD | United States Geological Survey |
| 2019 | Sarah Finkelstein | University of Toronto |
| 2018 | David Cooper, Ph.D. | Colorado State University |
| 2017 | Debashish Mazumber, Ph.D. | Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organization |
| 2016 | Dr. David Mushet | United States Geological Survey |
| 2015 | Wei-Ta Fang | National Taiwan Normal University |
| 2014 | Diane De Steven | U.S. Forest Service |
| 2013 | Jan Vymazal | Czech University of Life Sciences Prague |
| 2012 | Eric Stein | Southern California Coastal Water Research |
| 2011 | Joshua D. Stafford | U.S. Geological Survey |
| 2010 | Aram J. K. Calhoun | University of Maine - Orono |
| 2009 | Gary N. Ervin | Mississippi State University |
| 2008 | Katharina A.M. Engelhardt | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science |
| 2007 | Rachel A. Budelsky | University of Minnesota |
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.
Nomination requirements:
- Nominee must be active Society member for 10 or more years
- Must be nominated by a current Society member
- Nomination letter (3 page max) detailing reason for nomination and a summary of personal and professional achievements
- Up to three letters of support
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Dr. Mark Rains | University of South Florida |
| Dr. Jenny Davis | Charles Darwin University | |
| 2022 | Darold Batzer | University of Georgia |
| Scott Leibowitz | US Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 2019 | Andrew Hamilton Baldwin | University of Maryland |
| J. Patrick Megonigal | Smithsonian Environmental Research Center | |
| 2018 | Ralph W. Tiner, PWS | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Retired |
| 2017 | Robert Brooks | Pennsylvania State University |
| Max Finlayson, Ph.D. | Charles Sturt University | |
| Cliff Hupp, Ph.D. | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| 2016 | R. Eugene Turner | Louisiana State University |
| 2015 | Christopher Craft | Indiana University |
| Paul Keddy | Independent Scholar | |
| 2013 | Katherine Ewel | University of Florida |
| Chris Freeman | Bangor University | |
| Carol Johnston | South Dakota State University | |
| Beth Middleton | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| James Morris | University of South Carolina | |
| Joy Zedler | University of Wisconsin - Madison | |
| 2012 | Scott D. Bridgham | University of Oregon |
| Susan M. Galatowitsch | University of Minnesota | |
| 2011 | Donald R. Cahoon | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Frank P. Day | Old Dominion University | |
| Neil Saintilan | NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Water | |
| Jos T.A. Verhoeven | University of Utrecht | |
| Dennis Whigham | Smithsonian Environmental Research Center | |
| 2010 | Barbara L. Bedford | Cornell University |
| Joan G. Ehrenfeld | Rutgers University | |
| Ned H. "Chip" Euliss, Jr. | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| Irving A. Mendelssohn | Louisiana State University | |
| Loren M. Smith | Oklahoma State University | |
| Michael J. Vepraskas | North Carolina State University | |
| Thomas C. Winter | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| 2008 | Karen L. McKee | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Rebecca R. Sharitz | University of Georgia | |
| Arnold G. van der Valk | Iowa State University | |
| 2007 | Mark M. Brinson | East Carolina University |
| William H. Conner | Clemson University | |
| R. Kelman Wieder | Villanova University | |
| 1994 | Sarah Cooke | Cooke Scientific |
| Curt Richardson | Duke University | |
| Doug Wilcox | U.S. Geological Survey |
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: May 1, 2024
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
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2018 | Christopher Freeman | Bangor University (United Kingdom) |
| Robert McInnes, PWS | RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd. (United Kingdom) | |
| 2016 | Dra. Silvia Emilia Ibarra Obando | CICESE (Mexico) |
| 2014 | Jared Bosire | WWF Kenya |
| 2012 | Edward Maltby | University of Liverpool |
| 2010 | Nicholas Davidson | Deputy Secretary-General of the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands |
| 2008 | Peter Nevill Johnson | Landcare Research (New Zealand) |
| 2005 | Max Finlayson | International Water Management Institute |
| 2003 | David Searle Mitchell | Charles Sturt University |
| 2001 | Jan Kvet | Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic |
| 1999 | Wolfgang Johannes Junk | Max Planck Institute of Limnology, Germany |
| 1997 | Brij Gopal | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India |
| 1996 | Chung-Hsin Chung | Nanjing University, China |
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
Nomination requirements (self-nominations are permitted):
- Nominee must live and work outside of the U.S.
- Nominee must be disadvantaged via regional economic conditions
- Must submit an abstract for and attend the SWS Annual Meeting
- Nomination letter/personal statement (three pages max)
- Nominee's CV
- Proposed itinerary
- Budget
- Two letters of support
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Afrah Saad Mohsen Al-Mahfadi | Sana'a University |
| 2022 | Pankyes Datok | |
| Musa Mlambo | ||
| 2019 | Noreen Khalid | Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan |
| Excellence Akeredolu | University of Lagos, Nigeria | |
| Bright Uchenna Ndimele | University of Lagos, Nigeria | |
| 2018 | Ian Bredin | Institute of Natural Resources |
| Bright Uchenna Ndimele | University of Lagos | |
| 2017 | Adam Ceesay | Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology |
| Philip Frenzel | Stellenbosch University | |
| Anne Ola | University of Queensland | |
| 2016 | Dr. Abias Uwimana | University of Rwanda |
| Dr. Ritesh Kumar | Wetlands International South Asia | |
| Dr. Prince Emeka Ndimele | Lagos State University | |
| 2015 | Ajay Sehgal | PEC University of Technology |
| 2016 | Dr. Abias Uwimana | University of Rwanda |
| Dr. Ritesh Kumar | Wetlands International South Asia | |
| Dr. Prince Emeka Ndimele | Lagos State University | |
| 2015 | Ajay Sehgal | PEC University of Technology |
| 2014 | Tatiana Chuzhekova | Saint Petersburg State University |
| Rajiv Das Kangabam | Bharathidasan University | |
| Dr. Wahid M. Moufaddal | National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries | |
| Monalisa Silva-Araujo | Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro | |
| 2013 | Jared Bosire | Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute |
| Luis Epele | CONICET | |
| Ritu Singh | INTACH | |
| 2010 | Mary Ghobrial | Institute Of Oceanography & Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt |
| Piotr Woski | University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana | |
| 2009 | Maria E. Hernandez | Institute of Ecology, Veracruz, Mexico |
| Xiao-Yan Li | Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China |
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.
Nomination requirements:
- Nomination letter (three page max)
- Nominee's CV
- Two letters of support
More details about how to submit your nomination for 2024 will be shared here when available.
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Dr. Donald Cahoon | USGS |
| 2021 | Mark T. Brown, PhD | Universtiy of Florida |
| 2019 | Nick Davidson | Nick Davidson Environmental and Institute for Land, Water & Society, Charles Sturt University |
| Mary E. Kentula | Western Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |
| Rebecca R. Sharitz | Savannah River Ecology Laboratory | |
| 2017 | Paul Keddy, PhD | Independent Scholar |
| 2016 | K. Ramesh Reddy | University of Florida |
| 2015 | Jan Květ | University of South Bohemia |
| 2013 | Curtis Richardson | Duke University |
| 2011 | Lewis M. Cowardin | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired) |
| 2009 | Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. | |
| 2007 | William J. Mitsch | The Ohio State University |
| John M. Teal | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | |
| 2005 | Eville Gorham | University of Minnesota |
| 2002 | William H. Patrick, Jr. | Louisiana State University |
| Thomas C. Winter | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| 2000 | Robert G. Wetzel | University of Alabama |
| 1998 | James G. Gosselink | Louisiana State University |
| 1996 | Milton Weller | Texas A&M University |
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 2024 Annual Meeting will be shared here when available.
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2022 | Leanne Stepchinski | University of South Florida |
| 2021 | Madelyn McFarland | Mississippi State University |
| 2019 | Liza Goldberg | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center through the University of Maryland |
| 2017 | Margot Buchbinder | San Francisco State University |
| 2016 | Christine Rohal | Utah State University |
| 2015 | Anya Hopple | University of Oregon |
| 2014 | Bianca Pier | Siena College |
| 2013 | Emily Graham | University of Colorado - Boulder |
| 2012 | Sunitha Pangala | The Open University |
| 2011 | Dagmara Sirova | University of South Bohemia |
| 2010 | Maura Nowalk | Duke University |
| Rebecca Rooney | University of Alberta | |
| 2009 | Beth Lawrence | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| 2008 | Jennifer Karberg | Michigan Technological University |
| Margaret Pepper | University of Delaware | |
| 2007 | Joanna Lemly | Colorado State University |
| 2006 | Alice Howe | University of Newcastle, Australia |
| 2005 | Brett Scheffers | The University of the South |
| 2004 | Kate Huckelbridge | University of California, Berkeley |
| 2003 | Jason Keller | University of Notre Dame |
| 2002 | Sharon Ashworth | University of Kansas |
| 2001 | Susanne Hoeppner | Southeastern Louisiana State University |
| 2000 | Julie Guimond | U. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada |
| 1999 | Carrie H. Reinhardt | Penn State University |
| 1998 | Christopher E. Brown | University of Memphis |
| 1997 | Deborah J. Picking | University of Massachusetts |
| 1996 | Rachel Budelsky | University of Minnesota |
| 1995 | Brian Windmiller | Tufts University |
| 1994 | William J Streever | University of Florida |
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.
Nomination requirements:
- Nomination letter (three page max) detailing specific achievements
- Nominee's CV
- Two letters of support
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2022 | Lijuan Cui | Chinese Academy of Forestry |
| 2018 | Reyam Naji Ajmi | Mustansiryah University |
| 2016 | Dr. Judith S. Weis | Rutgers University |
| 2015 | Matthew G. Stahman | SWCA Environmental Consultants |
| 2012 | James T. Morris | University of South Carolina |
| 2011 | Donald R. Cahoon | U.S. Geological Survey |
| 2010 | Steven Pennings | University of Houston |
| 2008 | Irving A. Mendelssohn | Louisiana State University |
| Arnold G. van der Valk | Iowa State University | |
| 2007 | Mary E. Kentula | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| 2006 | Paul A. Keddy | Southeastern Louisiana University |
| 2004 | Beth Middleton | U.S.G.S. National Wetlands Research Center |
| 2003 | Carl Madsen | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| 2001 | Barbara Bedford | Cornell University |
| 2000 | James B. Grace | U.S. Geological Survey |
| 1998 | Mark M. Brinson | East Carolina University |
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.
Nomination requirements (self-nominations are permitted):
- Nominee must be a current SWS member
- Nomination letter (three pages max) detailing specific educational achievements and impacts
- Up to three letters of support
- Optional: examples of educational documents
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Dr. Michelle Stevens | California State University, Sacramento |
| 2022 | Joy Marburger (in memoriam) | Purdue University Northwest |
| Beth Lawrence | University of Connecticut |
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
Nominations that are consistent with the SWS Strategic Plan are highly encouraged. Any individual or organization is eligible.
Nomination requirements:
- Nomination letter (three pages max) detailing specific achievements
- Up to three letters of support
Submit your nomination here.
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2024
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Ecobot |
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.
Past Winners
Year |
Name |
Affiliation |
| 2023 | Leandra Cleveland | HDR |
| Ralph Tiner | US Fish and Wildlife Service | |
| David Bailey | US Army Corps of Engineers | |
| Vanessa Lougheed | University of Texas at El Paso | |
| 2022 | Jayme Jecker | Whitenton Group Inc |
| 2021 | Jeffrey Matthews, PhD | University of Illinois |
| John Lowenthal, Senior PWS, PWD | Cardno | |
| 2020 | Gillian Davies, PWS | BSC Group, Inc. |
| Andy Herb | AlpineEco | |
| Scott Jecker, PWS | Whitenton Group Inc | |
| Lori Sutter, PhD | University of Georgia | |
| 2019 | Jodie Burns | Cattails Environmental, LLC |
| John Lowenthal | Cardno | |
| 2018 | Royal Gardner | Stetson University College of Law |
| 2017 | Wei-Ta Fang | National Taiwan Normal University |
| Jim Perry, Ph.D. | College of William & Mary | |
| Kimberli Ponzio | St. Johns River Water Management District | |
| Jos Verhoeven, Ph.D. | Utrecht University | |
| 2016 | Bill Morgante | Maryland Board of Public Works |
| 2015 | Stephen Faulkner | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Yvonne Vallette | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 2014 | Ted Burger | TOB Support Services |
| 2013 | William Conner | Clemson University |
| Gregory Noe | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| 2012 | Sandy Doyle-Ahern | EMH&T |
| Darold Batzer | University of Georgia | |
| Steven Pennings | University of Houston | |
| 2011 | Wei-Ta Fang | Chung Hua University |
| Rob McInnes | Bioscan UK, Ltd | |
| Isidro Antonio T. Savillo | Iloilo State College of Fisheries | |
| 2010 | Charles Andrew Cole | Penn State University |
| 2009 | R. Harold Jones | Sigma Environmental Services, Inc. |
| 2008 | James C. Lynch | U.S. Geological Survey |
| 2007 | Douglas A. Wilcox | U.S. Geological Survey |
| 2006 | Frank P. Day | Old Dominion University |
| 2003 | Glenn Guntenspergen | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Mary Kentula | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 2002 | Teresa Doss and the Mid-Atlantic USA Chapter |
|
| 2000 | U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center |
|
| 1999 | James Parnell | Univeristy of North Carolina |
| 1998 | Lee Ischinger | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Janet Keough | U.S. Geological Survey | |
| 1996 | Frank P. Day, Courtney Hackney,James Kushlan, Mary Leck, Beth Middleton,Ming-Ko Woo, and Wayne Hudnall |
The Sponsors and Endowment Award is presented to individuals, organizations, or corporations in recognition of financial sponsorship or endowment.
| Year | Name |
| 2008 | US Geological Survey |
| 1998 | Lyndon Lee |
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.
Nomination requirements:
- Nominee can be a current or past SWS member, or contributor to SWaMMP
- Nomination letter (three 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: May 1, 2024
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
NOMINATION/APPLICATION PACKAGES
