(Ankeny, Iowa – June 27, 2023) The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) would like to congratulate the winners of the 2023 SWCS awards. Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in advocating and advancing the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. All winners will be recognized at the SWCS 2023 International Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on August 8, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. Additional information about each recognition can also be found at www.swcs.org/awards.
The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the Society’s most prestigious award, recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.
The 2023 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award is presented to Dale Threatt-Taylor for her widely recognized, major contributions to the conservation of natural resources. In her role as The Nature Conservancy’s South Carolina executive director, she appreciates the opportunity to build new relationships between natural resource conservationists and environmentalists across the nation. Threatt-Taylor believes locally led conservation begins with an individual and that our collective efforts are key to protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Over the years, she has served in several organizations, and, most importantly to SWCS, she made history after being elected Chair of our national Board of Directors and served in this role from 2020 to 2022. Threatt-Taylor has received numerous awards, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper for her dedicated work in conservation. Throughout her career, she has led with an infectiously positive and brilliant demeanor that excites a room and elevates any project she touches. We are grateful for her leadership within SWCS and in the conservation field at large. She is a well-deserving recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award.
Three Society Fellow Awards are given this year, in recognition of SWCS members who have performed exceptional service in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. Fellowship is an honor bestowed upon the best in the conservation profession. This year’s Fellow awardees are
- Larry Cihacek, North Dakota
- John Gilley, Nebraska
- Maysoon Mikha, Colorado
Additional awards presented in 2023 are listed below:
Conservation Innovation Award
In recognition of an outstanding activity, product, or service by a group, business, firm, corporation, or organization that promotes natural resource conservation.
- Soil Health Institute, North Carolina
- Water Talk Podcast, California
Harold and Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation Award
In recognition of individuals who work on the ground to provide direct and personal delivery or conservation planning and technical assistance.
- Naeem Kalwar, North Dakota
Conservation Professional of the Year Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in practicing and advancing the science and art of natural resource conservation.
- Chris Kappes, North Dakota
Society Service Award
In recognition of Society members for service to their chapter or to the Society.
- Jim Culver, Nebraska
- Kelly Goward, Michigan
- Beth Hill, North Dakota
- Claudia Stevenson, Nebraska
Chair’s Leadership Award
In recognition of exemplary assistance in helping to carry out the goals and objectives of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
- SWCS Colorado Chapter
- Gretchen Sassenrath, Kansas
Conservation Research Award
In recognition of Society members or teams of members whose research has led to exceptional improvements in soil conservation, water conservation, and/or related natural resources research.
- Girish Panicker, Mississippi
Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Award
In recognition of the impact and quality of the following research paper:
King, K.W., M.R. Williams, G.A. LaBarge, D.R. Smith, J.M. Reutter, E.W. Duncan, and L.A. Pease. 2018. Addressing agricultural phosphorus loss in artificially drained landscapes with 4R nutrient management practices. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73(1):35-47. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.73.1.35.
Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Honorable Mentions
In recognition of the impact and quality of the following research papers:
Smith, D.R., R.S. Wilson, K.W. King, M. Zwonitzer, J.M. McGrath, R.D. Harmel, R.L. Haney, and L.T. Johnson. 2018. Lake Erie, phosphorus, and microcystin: Is it really the farmer's fault? Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73(1):48-57. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.73.1.48.
Libohova, Z., C. Seybold, D. Wysocki, S. Wills, P. Schoeneberger, C. Williams, D. Lindbo, D. Stott, and P.R. Owens. 2018. Reevaluating the effects of soil organic matter and other properties on available water-holding capacity using the National Cooperative Soil Survey Characterization Database. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73(4):411-421. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.73.4.411.
Editor's Choice Award Winner
In recognition of the following article of excellence appearing in the “A” Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year:
Myers, R.L., and J. LaRose. 2022. Comparing cover crop use by horticultural and commodity producers. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 77(1):12A-18A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2022.1219A.
Editor's Choice Honorable Mention
In recognition of the following article of excellence appearing in the “A” Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year:
Udawatta, R.P., and C.J. Gantzer. 2022. Soil and water ecosystem services of agroforestry. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 77(1):5A-11A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2022.1028A.
Associate Editor Excellence Award
In recognition of associate editors for their contributions to the success and development of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
- Eli Argaman, Israel
- Chunsheng Hu, China
- Thomas Iserloh, Germany
Exceptional Chapter Event Award
In recognition of chapters for significant achievements through a single activity conducted during the year.
- National Capital Chapter – Earth Day Cleanup of the Anacostia River
- Kansas Chapter – Student Dinner and Professional Development Roundtable
- Land of Lincoln Chapter – Summer Meeting and Field Tour
- Michigan Chapter – ANR Month Seminar – Sustainable Intensification of the Rural Landscape: Protecting Soil Health, Water Quality and Farm Profitability
- Nebraska Chapter – Annual Legislative Meeting
- North Dakota Chapter – Connecting Soils, Plants, Animals & Humans in a Changing Environment Webinar
- Southern New England Chapter – Summer Meeting and Field Tour: Watershed and Wastewater Management
- Wisconsin Chapter – Fall Conservation tour of Dunn County
Outstanding Chapter Award
In recognition for the chapter’s success in carrying out its overall program during the past year.
- Arizona Chapter
- California/Nevada Chapter
- Hoosier Chapter
- Iowa Chapter
- Kansas Chapter
- Michigan Chapter
- National Capital Chapter
- Nebraska Chapter
- South Dakota Chapter
- Southern New England Chapter
Scholarship Recipients
Melville H. Cohee Student Leader Conservation Scholarship
Provides financial assistance to members of SWCS who are in their junior or senior year of full-time undergraduate study or are pursuing graduate level studies with a natural resources conservation orientation at a properly accredited college or university.
- Diego Della Lunga, Arkansas
Kenneth E. Grant Scholarship
Provides financial aid to members of the SWCS for interdisciplinary graduate-level research on a conservation topic that will extend the SWCS mission of fostering the science and the art of soil, water, and related natural resource management research.
- Judyson de Matos Oliveira, Florida
WiN Awards
WiN Conservationist of the Year Award
In recognition of an outstanding woman/farmer/producer/conservationist.
- The 3 Calhoun Sisters: Nancy Calhoun Mueller, Susie Calhoun, and Merry Calhoun Carter, California
WiN Past President Award
In recognition and commendation of WiN’s Past President for the outstanding contributions made throughout the four-year WiN President track, encompassing a wide array of activities and responsibilities.
- Valerie Hartman, North Dakota
WiN Individual Award of Excellence Recipient
This award is designed to recognize an individual who has contributed substantially and creatively to our Natural Resources Conservation profession. The recipient should exemplify excellence in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence and creativity.
- Elizabeth Oolman, Minnesota
WiN Group Award of Excellence Recipient
The Group Award of Excellence is designed to recognize a group who, over a period of-time, have contributed substantially and creatively to our Natural Resources Conservation profession in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence.
- WiN Mentoring Committee Members: Karma Anderson, Katherine Burse, Madeline Cantu, Katie Cerretani, Kristin Graham Chavez, Roylene Comes at Night, Bethany Munoz Delgado, Bianca Diaz Deliz, Margaret Gannon, Christine Hall, Nicole Kubiczki, Francine Lheritier, Julie MacSwain, Han Nguyen, Heidi Ramsey, Heather Medina Sauceda, Cheryl Simmons, Kara Vigneau, and April Wilson.
WiN Outstanding Member Award
The Outstanding Member Award is the highest recognition given by the members themselves to one of their members. The Purpose of the award is to recognize excellence in professionalism and leadership as a WiN member. It is based on achievements in WiN over an extended period of years and on participation and support of its mission.
- April Wilson, Missouri
Contact:
For more information, contact us at awards@swcs.org.
###
About SWCS
For seventy-eight years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society has been the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation. We believe sustainable land and water management is essential to the continued security of the earth and its people. Our goal is to cultivate an organization of informed, dynamic individuals whose contributions create a bright future for agriculture, the environment, and society. The Soil and Water Conservation Society is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada.