San Joaquin Valley Chapter TWS

San Joaquin Valley Chapter: Champion for Wildlife Award

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Champion for Wildlife Award

To recognize and honor significant contributions and steadfast dedication of our members to wildlife conservation in the San Joaquin Valley, we developed the Champions for Wildlife award to commemorate deserving or otherwise dedicated members of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter. As we all know, the San Joaquin Valley has experienced precipitous declines in natural habitats, native species, ecological connectivity, and ecosystem health. Because of that, we recognize that a number of individuals, many of whom are members of this Chapter, are essential to the management and protection of the often small, remnant “islands” of natural lands that remain. Their contributions to science and understanding of San Joaquin Valley ecology are highly valuable and deserve recognition, and this award is but an attempt to shine some light on the people who work every day to save, preserve, or otherwise protect our native species and lands.
 
2017 award recipient Erin Tennant (right) being presented with her award
2017 award recipient Erin Tennant (right) being presented with her award
2017 award recipient plaque
 

The first recipient of this award was Erin Tennant, Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Erin was recognized for her outstanding dedication as a longtime active member of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter board, including her consistent involvement in planning, organizing, and implementing various events and workshops including the biannual blunt-nosed leopard lizard ecology and survey techniques workshop, and for her important role as a research biologist in the SJV where she studies many of our iconic protected species. She was presented with the award by then-president Kris Robison at the Chapter board meeting on February 9th, 2017, which coincided with the Western Section annual conference in Reno, NV.

Recipients

2017: Erin Tennant
2018: Steve Juarez
2019: Christine Van Horn Job
2020: Howard Clark
2025: Randi McCormick
 
Steve Juarez, 2018 award recipient. View more photos here.
2018 award recipient plaque

2019 award recipient plaque

2025 award recipient plaque

The San Joaquin Valley Chapter is proud to nominate a highly dedicated, long-time chapter member and true Champion of Wildlife. Over the past few decades, she has been instrumental in conservation efforts for our San Joaquin Valley endemics, including blunt-nosed leopard lizard, the San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, Bakersfield cactus, and San Joaquin antelope squirrel. She has supported endangered and threatened species’ training through the seasonal hiring of early career professionals for protocol surveys, and has participated on long term trapping studies in some of the last intact habitats for these species. She has selflessly invested in the Chapter through sponsorships and employee contributions to countless wildlife workshops and the annual Communities Conference. She has served as San Joaquin Valley Chapter Representative to the Western Section, and is completing her three-year term as Western Section President. Her mentorship has inspired many young professionals and seasoned biologists alike. She believes in learning for life and giving back to the community, including fostering donation and work programs to Wind Wolves Preserve, Tejon Ranch Conservancy, Center for Natural Lands Management, and California Living Museum, among others. We are therefore honored to present our San Joaquin Valley Chapter Champions of Wildlife award to Randi McCormick.