Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Annual Conservation Achievement Awards
RECOGNIZING
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LWF Honors Our 2023 Conservation Achievement Awards Recipients
Back Row (L-R): Amanda Clark, Pam Pearce (Conservation Educators of the Year); Rodney McKay, Chris Edwards, Evan Edwards, Laura Edwards (AJ and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation-Conservation Organization of the Year) Front Row (L-R): Corey Miller (Professional Conservationist of the Year), Alexander Kolker, PhD. (Conservationist of the Year), Martin D. “Marty” Floyd (Lifetime Achievement), Don Shoopman (Conservation Communicator of the Year). Not Pictured: Jim Kolinsky (Volunteer Conservatist of the Year), Rep. Joseph Orgeron, PhD. (Elected Official Conservationist of the Year)
The awards program seeks to recognize those individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a significant and outstanding contributions toward the protection and wise use of Louisiana’s natural resources in the previous year. Each honoree will receive a handsome wildlife statuette. Recipients were honored at a banquet held in Baton Rouge on April 12, 2024.
For 2023, LWF is excited to add the Lifetime Achievement category!
2023 Conservation Achievement Award Recipients
Conservationist of the Year for 2023 – Alexander Kolker, Ph.D.
Dr. Kolker lives in New Orleans. His work has been instrumental in helping us understand the natural processes and the human causes of Louisiana’s coastal land loss. He recently led the charge for collecting data to better understand the continuing evolution of Neptune Pass in the lower Mississippi River, just one of his many contributions to Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts.
Professional Conservationist of the Year for 2023 – Corey Miller
Corey is from New Orleans and has been a dedicated advocate for coastal communities in Louisiana, particularly in the fishing industry. He is currently serving as the Community Engagement Director for the Pontchartrain Conservancy where he oversees the new Canal Lighthouse, education, policy, and outreach.
Volunteer Conservationist of the Year for 2023 – Jim Kolinski
Jim is from Monroe. He was recognized for his work with Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Kolinsky serves as animal caretaker, educator, carpenter, and staff member. He has been credited with single-handedly keeping the Education Center open to the public.
Conservation Educators of the Year for 2023 – Amanda Clark & Pam Pearce
Amanda and Pam both live in Natchitoches. They were honored for their tireless effort to introduce the children of Natchitoches Parish to the joys of fishing. This dynamic duo leads the Natchitoches Parish 4-H club and founded the Fishing “Fin-atics” Club.
Elected Official Conservationist of the Year for 2023 – Rep. Joseph Orgeron, Ph.D.
Rep. Orgeron serves as the state representative for District 54 (Golden Meadow). He was recognized for his dedicated service to his local constituents and the state as a whole. He has been an advocate for innovative ways to fund future coastal restoration projects and actively engages on fisheries management issues.
Conservation Communicator of the Year for 2023 – Don Shoopman
Don is from New Iberia. His commitment to keeping hunters, anglers, and concerned citizens informed about issues concerning Louisiana’s great outdoors has been vital to the Acadiana region. His focus on youth participation in outdoor activities has helped promote Louisiana as the Sportman’s Paradise to a new generation of enthusiasts.
Conservation Organization of the Year for 2023 – AJ & Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation
The AJ & Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation of Florien was honored for its continued dedication to promoting and conserving north Louisiana’s diverse longleaf pine forests. Through the establishment of the Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center or LEAF Center, and countless partnerships with conservation organizations, they have transformed 2,400 acres of land into a research and learning center.
2023 Lifetime Achievement – Martin "Marty" Floyd
Marty lives in Cheneyville. He received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than five decades of service to conservation causes and issues in Louisiana. Marty is that unique individual who embodies both a deep academic understanding of the issues facing Louisiana’s wildlife and the dedication to the practical implementation of scientific principles to correct those issues.
58th Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet Sponsors
We want to thank all the sponsors of the 58th Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet sponsors. We couldn't honor our conservation champions without their generous support.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Allyn and Cliff Dukes
Bronze Sponsors
Cenac Marine Service
Delacroix Corporation
Louisiana Lottery Corporation
Michel H. Claudet, LLC
Pontchartrain Conservancy
Rapides Wildlife Association
Robert and Norma Stewart
Toledo Bend Lake Association
Thank you to our Auction Donors
Acadian Frame and Art
Anonymous
Benny’s Car Wash
Blue Zoo Aquarium
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Butler Greenwood Plantation Bed and Breakfast
City Group Hospitality
Don Bergeron’s City Market
Flemings Price Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Frank’s Pizza Napoletana
Fresh Market
George Rodrigue Foundation
Hello Penelope
Houmas House
Ichiban Japanese Grill
Katherine Burck Rutledge
Kendra Scott
LA Lottery corporation
Leela Yoga Lifestyle
Louisiana Arts & Science Museum
Louisiana Nursery
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
LSU Rural Life Museum
Mike Anderson’s Seafood Restaurant
New Orleans Museum of Art
New Orleans Steaboat Company
Oak Alley Plantation
Painting and Pinot
PetSmart
PetSuites
PF Chang’s
Rebecca Triche
Robert Walker
Shreveport Aquarium
Skal Axe Throwing
Southern Pearl Oyster House
The Dermatology Clinic
The Francis Southern Table & Bar
The Grand Hotel
The Magnolia Café’
The Myrtles Plantation
The Retreat Spa
Topgolf
Tumbles South Baton Rouge
Uptown Climbing
Wild Birds Unlimited
Program Rules and Procedures for 2023
1) Winners may not be named in every category. Recognition will be based primarily on accomplishments during 2023. Prior records may be considered, but this will be left up to the judges. Immediate past winners are not eligible to succeed themselves in the same category of accomplishment for which they were recognized the previous year.
2) Nominations may be submitted via the LWF website at lawildlifefed.org by the deadline of February 4, 2024. An email with all relevant documents may also be emailed to lwf@lawildlifefed.org if the website form is not working.
3) An essay of achievements for the nominee, not to exceed 1500 words, is required. The essay should describe the nominee’s accomplishments in 2023 (and previous years if relevant), including A) an explanation of their significance or impact and B) why the nominee’s accomplishments are important and worthy of recognition. Information such as past recognition, organization memberships, etc. may be appended to the essay. Documentation of accomplishments such as news articles, letters of support, photos, etc. should be included as a supplement to the essay. If a nomination is submitted for more than one category, a separate nomination form and complete essay must be submitted for each category entered. If available, please include a photograph of the nominee with the nomination.
4) Nominations that do not meet all standards and criteria will be returned to sender to be resubmitted with appropriate additions/modifications. Program judges may declare any nomination ineligible if proper documentation and supportive materials are not included. The decision of the judging committees will be final.
5) For the Lifetime Achievement Award established in 2023, view the criteria for which nominations will be judged in a separate document.