Celebrating Our Leaders – 2026 Regional Longleaf Awards Announced
September 25, 2026
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 the Conference held October 27-30, 2026 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“The Regional Longleaf Awards spotlight those making meaningful contributions to longleaf restoration. We are honored to recognize these deserving recipients and thank them for their dedication to an ecosystem we all cherish,” said 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. – BRIAN VAN EERDEN, The Nature Conservancy
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. – ELLEN JACOBS, California, and GEORGE JENSEN, Tall Timbers
Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated innovation, initiative, and leadership to develop a project that advances longleaf conservation. – JEFFERY CANNON, The Jones Center at Ichauway
The Gjerstad/Johnson Landowner of the Year recognizes a private landowner for ensuring the future of the longleaf ecosystem on private land. – ANNIE SCHMIDT, Crooked Creek Headwaters, Florida
True Longleaf Champion Awards recognize a lifetime of dedication to the conservation and restoration of the South’s iconic forest. – AD PLATT, The Longleaf Alliance (retired), and KEN ARNEY, USDA Forest Service
Conservation Partner Awards
The Palustris Corporate Leader Award recognizes a corporation with long standing commitment toward conservation of the longleaf ecosystem. – ERNST CONSERVATION SEEDS
The Palustris Outstanding Nonprofit Award recognizes a nonprofit organization that has significantly improved, protected and conserved the longleaf ecosystem. – AUDUBON, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Palustris Team Achievement Award recognizes an agency team who has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in managing and restoring the longleaf ecosystem. – VIRGINIA DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
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.