History

The Conservation Hero award was initiated by Joseph Mitchell in 2010. He contrived the idea and purpose, and he was given authority by the Southeast PARC Steering Committee to initiate the award, conceive its content, and to present the inaugural award at the 2010 meeting in Ocala, Florida. Since that time, the award was not continued until the Southeast PARC leadership wished to reinitiate recognition for herpetofaunal conservation for members of the Southeast in 2013.

Intended Purpose

The Conservation Hero award is intended to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions to conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the southeast region of PARC, but who are unlikely to be recognized for their efforts. Per the inaugural award, a Conservation Hero is someone who successfully has achieved on‐the‐ground conservation for herpetofauna by preventing loss of species or their habitats or has educated others to further the PARC mission. Therefore nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Any person who has displayed exemplary commitment to building or strengthening partnerships, particularly with stakeholders outside the individual’s organization or with non‐traditional stakeholders that further the mission of SEPARC.

2. Special consideration will be given to any person who has exhibited tenacious effort, leadership and professionalism in a manner that is inspiring to their peers, and who has been overlooked by other means of acclaim.

Award

The award is a clear torch on a black base, which is meant to symbolize the leadership characteristics and dedication of the recipient as someone who “carries the torch” for herpetofaunal conservation in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. The award is inscribed with the Southeast PARC logo, the name of the recipient, and the year of the award. The Conservation Hero is recognized with the award at the Annual Meeting of Southeast PARC, which is typically held each February. Recipients are awarded registration and lodging for the meeting in which they receive recognition.

Nominations

The Southeast PARC co‐chairs make a call for nominations prior to the annual meeting and distribute information about the award including the attached nomination form. The Southeast PARC Steering Committee will review nominations and conduct an anonymous vote to select a recipient. The award will only be given out in years where at least 1 qualified applicant is received.

Past Recipients

2010: John Byrd

2014: Jessica Gonynor McGuire

2015: David Scott

2017: JD Wilson

2018: Pierson Hill

2020: Joe Mitchell

2021: Matt Aresco

2022: Gabrielle Graeter