The Idaho Chapter has an active awards program that seeks to recognize those who have made important contributions in furthering the mission of the Chapter. Over the years, the Chapter has presented a wide variety of awards to a large number of individuals. In 2008 and 2009, the Chapter standardized the award names and award criteria. Each of the awards currently offered by the Chapter is described below. To submit nominations, please contact the respective Officer or Committee Chair at their email address listed on the Chapter Officers page.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award granted by the Idaho Chapter. It is awarded to individuals who are either retired or within five years of retirement that have made significant and sustained contributions to advance the mission of the Chapter. This work may include, but is not limited to, advancing fisheries and aquatic science, implementing important management, or promoting the development of fisheries professionals. The recipients are selected by the Past President from nominations made by Chapter members and the award is presented by the Past President at the annual meeting.
Annual Merit Award
The Annual Merit Award is given to the outgoing President and the outgoing Treasurer for their service to the Idaho Chapter. Prior to 2009, this award was given for various types of service to the Chapter. Since 2009, this award has been awarded only to the outgoing Chapter President and outgoing Chapter Treasurer with other types of service to the Chapter being recognized through the Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented by the Past President at the annual meeting.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution in furthering the mission of the Idaho Chapter and is specific to work completed within the Chapter. The recipients are selected by the Past President from nominations made by the Executive Committee or Chapter members and the award is presented by the Past President at the annual meeting.
Outstanding Professional Award
The Outstanding Professional Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution in furthering the mission of the Idaho Chapter and is specific to work completed outside the Chapter. The recipients are selected by the Past President from nominations made by Chapter members and the award is presented by the Past President at the annual meeting.
Outstanding Early Career Professional Award
The Outstanding Early Career Professional Award is sponsored by the Mentoring Committee and is intended to celebrate exceptional work in early career professionals. To be eligible, professionals must be within five years post-graduation and be working at any level in the fisheries profession including technician, biologist, culturist, etc. Nominations should be sent to the Mentoring Committee. The recipients are selected by the Mentoring Committee Chair from nominations made by Idaho Chapter members and the award is presented by the Mentoring Committee Chair at the annual meeting. Nomination packages should include the name of the nominee, information about most recent degree completed including graduation date, current position of the nominee, and one or more letters of support highlighting achievements. Please include how the individual’s work contributes to the mission of the Idaho Chapter and any efforts the nominee has made that causes those around them to feel respected, understood, and supported. Self-nominations are accepted.
Richard L. Wallace Native Fish
Conservationist of the Year Award
This award is sponsored by the Native Fish Committee. The award was created by the Native Fish Committee in 2004 and is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization for outstanding achievement in native fish conservation in Idaho. The recipients are selected by the Native Fish Committee Chair from nominations made by Idaho Chapter members and the award is presented by the Native Fish Committee Chair at the annual meeting. The physical award is a beautiful hand-carved version of a fish species that is a meaningful representation of the recipient’s work. Because the subject of the carving can’t be determined until the Wallace Award honoree is chosen, the deadline for nomination letters is often earlier than other Chapter awards. Don’t hesitate to contact the Native Fish Committee if you have any questions or would like an example of a nomination letter.
Outstanding Mentor Award
The Outstanding Mentor Award is sponsored by the Mentoring Committee. This award was created by the Palouse Unit in 2006 and they selected and presented the award that year. Since 2007, the award has been administered by the Mentoring Committee. The award is presented annually to an individual who has shown substantial devotion to mentoring of fisheries students or professionals in Idaho. The recipients are selected by the Mentoring Committee Chair from nominations made by Idaho Chapter members and the award is presented by the Mentoring Committee Chair at the annual meeting. Chapter members can submit nominations to the Mentoring Committee. Nomination packages should include the name of the nominee and one or more letters highlighting their achievements in mentoring.
Excellence in Aquaculture Award
The Excellence in Aquaculture Award is sponsored by the Aquaculture Committee. The award was created by the Aquaculture Committee in 2008 and is presented annually to an individual or aquaculture facility for outstanding achievement in the field of aquaculture or aquaculture related research. The recipients are selected by the Aquaculture Committee Chair from nominations made by Idaho Chapter members and the award is presented by the Aquaculture Committee Chair at the annual meeting.
Aquatic Habitat Award
The Aquatic Habitat Award is sponsored by the Aquatic Habitat Committee. The award was created in 2016 and is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made significant contributions to the field of fish habitat restoration and enhancement in Idaho. The recipients are selected by the Aquatic Habitat Committee Chair from nominations made by Idaho Chapter members and the award is presented by the Aquatic Habitat Committee Chair at the annual meeting. Please don’t hesitate to nominate your own project so you can provide the thanks to all involved that they deserve.