Conservation Hero Award
Recognizing Conservation Heros
SEPARC’s Conservation Hero Award celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Southeast but may not typically receive recognition for their efforts. True to the spirit of the inaugural award, a Conservation Hero is someone who has directly contributed to the preservation of herpetofauna through actions such as preventing species or habitat loss or educating others to advance the PARC mission.
Special consideration is given to individuals whose work exemplifies tenacity and passion, helping to drive on-the-ground conservation successes that leave a lasting impact on herpetofauna conservation.
Dirk Stevenson, 2024 Conservation Hero
Excelling in Conservation Efforts
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Fostering Partnerships
Conservation Heroes demonstrate exceptional dedication to building or strengthening collaborations with stakeholders outside their organization or with non-traditional partners that support SEPARC’s mission.
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Inspiring Leadership
Conservation Heroes exemplify tenacious effort, professionalism, and leadership that inspires peers, particularly in ways that have not been widely recognized.
Pierson Hill, 2018 Conservation Hero
About the Conservation Hero Award
The Conservation Hero Award was established in 2010 by Joseph Mitchell, who conceptualized its purpose and criteria with the approval of the Southeast PARC (SEPARC) Steering Committee. Mitchell was entrusted with the responsibility of designing the award and presenting it at the 2010 SEPARC meeting in Ocala, Florida. After its inaugural presentation, the award was temporarily discontinued until 2013, when SEPARC leadership decided to revive it as a way to honor exceptional contributions to herpetofaunal conservation in the Southeast.
The award itself is a clear torch on a black base, symbolizing the recipient’s leadership, dedication, and role as a "torchbearer" for herpetofaunal conservation in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. It is engraved with the SEPARC logo, the recipient’s name, and the year of the award.
Recipients are recognized at SEPARC’s Annual Meeting, typically held each February. In addition to the award, honorees receive complimentary registration and lodging for the meeting, ensuring they are celebrated in the presence of their peers and the broader conservation community.
The Southeast PARC co‐chairs make a call for nominations prior to the annual meeting and distribute information about the award. 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.