Awards Overview
The ACTWS annually administers four professional awards, three student scholarships, and several student travel awards.
Members may also submit photos to the Larry Comin Photo Contest.
2021 submissions are now open for members. Deadline: 14 February 2021.
Please submit award nominations as an email including:
- The name of the nominee
- The name of the award
- A justification for why they deserve the award
- CV of the nominee
Submit nominations to Glynnis Hood: [email protected]
Professional Awards
- Recognize someone for their special contribution. Consider nominating a colleague today.
- Nominations can be made by any ACTWS member.
- Nominees are normally residents of Alberta or have made a significant contribution in Alberta.
- Awards will be presented at the ACTWS conference.
- Nominations are valid for up to 3 years.
- View our previous award winners.
2021 Award Nominations are now OPEN. Nomination Deadline: 14 February 2021.
Outreach Award
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Alberta’s fish and wildlife through effective and excellent communication to the public.
Alberta Wildlife Publication Awards
These two awards recognize wildlife professionals for outstanding written contributions in:
1. technical publication (within the past 3 years)
2. popular publication (within the past 3 years)
Publications can be a book, article, or monograph but must be relevant to wildlife management and conservation. The review committee will assess publications based on originality, impact on management and conservation science, and overall presentation. The Alberta Chapter will announce the winning publications at the annual conference. Each award will include a plaque presented to the authors at the ACTWS conference and the winning publication(s) will be recognized in the newsletter.
Please indicate category in the nomination.
William Rowan Distinguished Service Award
The William Rowan Distinguished Service Award is presented to an Alberta wildlife biologist who has made outstanding cumulative contributions to the management and conservation of wildlife and their habitats. These contributions could involve excellence in research, teaching, public allocation (hunting, nonconsumptive use), habitat protection and development, land use planning, impact assessment, endangered species management, work in professional associations or any other area of the wildlife management profession.
The awards committee is asking for nominations from the membership for this prestigious award. A nomination involves a letter of support from a Chapter member along with the candidate’s curriculum vitae/resume. The letter should explain the value of the nominee’s contributions in the areas outlined above.
Kristina Norstrom Dedicated Service Award
Presented to an Alberta Chapter member who actively and unselfishly contributes their time and resources to further the aims and objectives of the Chapter. This award acknowledges members whose contributions far exceed the expectations of being a member and capture the spirit and essence of dedication to the Chapter. The awards committee asks for nominations for this award in the form of a letter of support from one or more Chapter members.
Scholarships
The Alberta Chapter annually presents academic student awards to promote interest and reward excellence in the field of wildlife conservation. A list of past recipients can be viewed here.
Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in wildlife management and clearly state how their career goals align with the award and the lifetime achievements of its namesake. Student submissions for each award category are reviewed by ACTWS member committees.
Send scholarship applications to Jessica Melsted; successful candidates will be notified at the ACTWS conference every March.
2021 Award Nominations are now OPEN. Nomination Deadline: 14 February 2021.
Robert (Bob) K. Goddard Memorial Scholarship
Amount
$1500
Eligibility
This award is open to students that are presently enrolled in a technical program in the Province of Alberta, focusing on wildlife biology or management, and will be enrolled full-time in September 2021 (participating on a co-op work term is also eligible). Program examples include, but are not limited to: Renewable Resource Option (NAIT), Wildlife and Fisheries Major (Lakeland), Renewable Resource Management Diploma (Lethbridge College). Please note that programs in conservation enforcement are not eligible for this award.
- Transcript of marks for courses taken and a list of courses planned for remainder of program, if any.
- Contact information for one reference (e.g., a faculty member or other professional biologist) who agrees to be contacted by the Awards committee.
- Typed essay (500 words or fewer) outlining: career goals and relevance to this awards; summary of involvement or experience with the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society; and summary of volunteer or work experience in the wildlife field.
Ian Ross Memorial Scholarship
Amount
$1500
Eligibility
This award is open to students planning a career in wildlife management and preparing to enter the final year of a 4-year Alberta university program in Biological Sciences, Forest Science, Animal Sciences, Zoology, or related field of study, in September 2021. This award is also open to students entering the final year of the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Ecosystem Management – Fish and Wildlife stream at Lethbridge College. The award funds will be disbursed upon confirmation of registration for the next year of full-time enrollment.
- Transcript of marks for courses taken, and a list of courses planned for their final year.
- Contact information for one reference (e.g., a faculty member or other professional biologist) who agrees to be contacted by the Awards committee.
- Typed essay (500 words or fewer) outlining: career goals and relevance to this awards; summary of involvement or experience with the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society; and summary of volunteer or work experience in the wildlife field.
William Wishart Post-Graduate Award
Amount
$1500
Eligibility
This award is open to students planning a career in wildlife management and accepted into a full-time post-graduate degree program at a Canadian University in Biological Sciences, Forest Science, Animal Sciences, Zoology, or related field of study (must be enrolled full-time in September 2021), and conducting the majority of their (field) research in Alberta.
- Outline of proposed thesis work
- Transcript of marks for undergraduate and graduate courses
- Contact information for one reference (e.g., a faculty member or other professional biologist) who agrees to be contacted by the Awards committee
- Typed essay (500 words or fewer) outlining: career goals and relevance to this awards; summary of involvement or experience with the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society; and summary of volunteer or work experience in the wildlife field.
Student Registration Grants
The Alberta Chapter helps students attend the annual conference every March. We invite qualifying students to apply for an award to assist with their registration expenses. Individual travel awards will be 50% of the student registration fee.
Eligibility
All applicants must be:
- a member of ACTWS (at time of application);
- pursuing a career in wildlife research and/or management; and
- Must be in financial need and not have another source of funding to register for the conference.
Presenting Student Registration Grants
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must also be:
- a current student or recent (within the last 12 months) graduate;
- a senior author and presenter of an accepted poster or oral presentation; and
- conducting research or has proposed to conduct research on wildlife, fisheries, and/or related habitats within Alberta.
Although a student’s paper/poster must be accepted for presentation by the ACTWS Program Committee to receive the Award, students should apply for the award prior to being notified by the Program Committee of abstract acceptance.
Deadline
14 February 2021.
New Student Registration Grants
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must also:
- Not have attended an ACTWS conference in the past.
- Be presently enrolled in either:
- a post-secondary program in a technical college or 4-year University program in Alberta. The program must be focused in Biological Sciences, Forestry Science, Animal Science, Zoology, Environmental Sciences, or related field of study.
OR
- a Grade 12 Alberta high school with anticipated graduation date in 2021. Student must have an interest in pursuing a career in the wildlife field.
Deadline
14 February 2021.