Awards
SNVB member awards are given to former or active members who exemplify SNVB’s Mission, Vision, and Value Statements. Calls for nominations will be announced in third edition of The Murreletter each year. Standing executive board members are not eligible for awards. Awards are presented during our annual banquet with a reading of each recipient’s outstanding achievements.
Mentorship Award
This award recognizes a current member whom has served as a mentor to students, SNVB members and/or developing professionals. This SNVB member has distinguished him/herself as a mentor by going above and beyond the expectations of the individual(s) that nominate them. Mentors can be a faculty member or professionals. Previous awardees have included both professional and faculty mentors.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes a member that has contributed to the development of SNVB and/or the field of Vertebrate Biology in the Northwest. This member has had an overall positive impact as a professional and/or they have contributed to SNVB’s mission.
President’s Award
This award recognizes an individual(s) the current President of SNVB has determined to go above and beyond the requirement of their roles to further the mission or exemplify the mission and values of SNVB. The awards recipients may be nominated by others for the Presidents consideration.
Award Recipients (2002 - Present)
2002 (Hood River, OR): Robert M. Storm and Lawrence L.C. Jones were honored with lifetime memberships to the Society “for their significant contributions to the natural history of the Pacific Northwest vertebrates (Murreletter vol.10 #2)
2003 (Arcata, CA): Janet Jones was honored with lifetime membership? From March 19, 2003 board minutes: “Burr suggests Janet Jones be made life member. Bill recommends that we do so. Motion by Bill Leonard: that Janet Jones be made a Life Member Second by Elissa. Unanimous. Elke will make award certificate.”
2004 (Ellensburg, WA):
2005 (Corvallis, OR): Burr Betts, longtime editor of Northwestern Naturalist was honored with the David B Marshall award by Oregon chapter of TWS. So not an “SNVB” award but he was a board member at the time. Check the year of this award I (Eric) originally recorded it as being in 2007 but that was in Victoria and ORTWS was not with us so I am guessing it was Corvallis 2005.
2006 (Olympia, WA): Bruce Bury was honored with his own session, roast, retirement party and salmon bake. Don’t know if any official material award was granted.
2007 (Victoria, BC): Numerous awards were given during the banquet including winners of the photo and art contest and the various society members who have made significant contributions to their respective organizations. Note: this was gathered from Murreletter around this time, maybe check board meeting minutes from around then for specific names?
2008 (Missoula, MT)
2009 (Skamania, WA)
2010 (Medford, OR): Dede Olson, Steve Wagner (Aimee found notes from 24Feb2010 indicating awards for these two were planned and Aimee recollects Dede getting an award and lifetime membership at some point, and recalls Steve getting an award at this meeting specifically).
2011 (Gig Harbor, WA)
2012 (Hood River, OR): Char Corkran was acknowledged for her outstanding contributions to SNVB over the years and for her mentorship (presented by Brent Matsuda) Doc Storm was acknowledged for his contributions to our understanding of the herps in the PNW and for his role as an SNVB board member some 60 years ago (OR VP 1942)
2013
2014 (Pasco, WA): Aimee McIntyre was presented our mentorship award (framed certificate). Michael Parker was also nominated. Dave Clayton was recognized with our lifetime achievement award. Kathryn Ronnenberg was also nominated and it was decided to postpone her award 1 year to when she would likely be in attendance (Portland)
2015 (Portland, OR): Kathryn Ronnenberg was recognized with our lifetime achievement award. Presented by Dede Olson. Michael Parker was presented our mentorship award (framed certificate). Presented by Erim Gomez. Elke Wind was recognized with the president’s award (framed certificate). Presented by Steve Wagner.
2016: Tara Chestnut, Gregg Green, Marcia Repaci, Tiffany Garcia
2017: Lowell Diller, Robert Hoffman, Hart Welsh
2018: Alan St John, Martin Raphael, John Pierce, John Fleckenstein
2019: Chris Rombough (President’s Award), Dave Clayton (President’s Award)
2020: COVID
2021: COVID
2022: COVID
2023 (Grand Mound, WA): Bill Vogel
[The snake symposium that Marc Hayes organized during the 2023 joint meeting gave three extra-limital awards, lifetime achievement awards to each of Richard Hoyer, Chuck Peterson and Alan St John]
2024 (Spokane, ID): None
2025 (Tulalip, WA):
- Lifetime Achievement: Marc Hayes
- Mentor Award: Kelly McAllister
- President’s Award: Teal Waterstrat
2026 (Seaside, OR):
