Celebrating Our Leaders – 2024 Regional Longleaf Awards Announced
August 1, 2024
Every two years, individuals, private landowners, land managers, wildlife biologists, conservation groups, consultants, university researchers, forestry professionals, agency and outreach personnel gather for the best and largest longleaf event in the nation – The Biennial Longleaf Conference.
The Regional Longleaf Awards Program, offered in conjunction with the Biennial Longleaf Conference, recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to longleaf restoration and conservation across the southeastern U.S. Award recipients will be recognized during an Awards Presentation at the 15th Biennial Longleaf Conference held at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
"The Regional Longleaf Awards allow us to shine a light on the individuals and organizations that are making meaningful contributions to the overall longleaf restoration effort. We are honored to recognize such a well-deserving group of award recipients this year and show our gratitude for their dedication to this ecosystem that we all love."
Carol Denhof, President of The Longleaf Alliance
Individual Awards
Bill Boyer Natural Resource Professional of the Year recognizes a natural resource professional who has made outstanding contributions within longleaf ecosystem conservation. – JON SCOTT, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The Palustris Corporate Achievement recognizes a corporation with long standing commitment toward conservation of the longleaf ecosystem. – FOREST INVESTMENTS ASSOCIATES
The Gjerstad/Johnson Landowner of the Year recognizes a private landowner for ensuring the future of the longleaf ecosystem on private land. – DOUG & TERESA MOORE, South Prong Plantation, Florida
The Burner Bob® Prescribed Fire Champion recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding efforts in championing prescribed fire to ensure the future of the longleaf ecosystem on private land. – BILL RIVERS, The Nature Conservancy, Louisiana
True Longleaf Champion Awards recognize a lifetime of dedication to the conservation and restoration of the South’s iconic forest. – BRUCE HAGEDORN, Eglin Air Force Base Natural Resources, and MIKE OLIVER, NRCS State Forester “retired” Texas and Tennessee
Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated innovation, initiative, and leadership to develop a project that advances longleaf conservation. – LAUREN PHARR, North Carolina State University and Field Inclusive
Conservation Partner Awards
Natural Resources Conservation Service Team Achievement Award recognizes an NRCS team who has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in delivering longleaf restoration for private landowners. – EAST TEXAS PLANT MATERIALS CENTER
Department of Defense Team Achievement recognizes a DOD team who has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in managing and restoring the longleaf ecosystem on Military Installations. – FORT STEWART/HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION, Georgia
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Team Achievement recognizes a USFWS team who has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in managing and restoring the longleaf ecosystem for wildlife and the National Wildlife Refuge System. – GEORGIA PARTNERS FOR FISH & WILDLIFE
USDA Forest Service Team Achievement recognizes a USFS team who has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in managing and restoring the longleaf ecosystem on and around the National Forest System. – FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST and SANTEE EXPERIMENTAL FOREST, South Carolina
Non-Profit Conservation Partner Award recognizes a non-profit organization that has significantly improved, protected and conserved the longleaf ecosystem. – TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, Florida
About The Longleaf Alliance
The Longleaf Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization. First organized in 1995, The Longleaf Alliance operates throughout the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas helping landowners restore their land to functioning longleaf forests while generating income from the very same forest that provides homes for some of the South’s most threatened plant and animal species.