“Imagine Excellence”:
The GWS Awards Program
Through Imagine Excellence, our awards program, GWS recognizes outstanding accomplishments in research, administration and management, communications and education, and the promotion of social and environmental justice as they relate to parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation.
Now through July 15th we are accepting nominations for the GWS Social and Environmental Justice Award, the GWS Communications Award, and the George Meléndez Wright Award for Excellence. They will be given out at the 2026 GWS ParkForum workshop, October 19–22 at the University of Tennessee. After reading the criteria below, you'll find a nomination form at the bottom of the page.
The GWS Social and Environmental Justice Award, given in recognition of excellence in seeking and advocating for inclusive and impartial alternatives that proactively address socioenvironmental justice as it relates to place-based conservation. The nomination can be for a specific project or for long-term excellence, and can recognize current or past achievements. Nominations should highlight how the nominee’s work has: (1) produced beneficial changes in Policy and Governance; (2) increased Access by and Participation of under-represented communities; (3) reduced or removed Barriers (structurally and institutionally) to these groups’ access and participation; (4) created sustained Partnerships and Collaboration; and (5) demonstrated a long-term Ethic of Commitment to social and environmental justice. (Given in even-numbered years)
The GWS Communications Award, given in recognition of excellence in communication, interpretation, or related areas pertaining to the purposes of the Society. This award is given specifically to recognize outstanding efforts in communicating highly technical, scientific/scholarly, or controversial park-related subjects to the public in a clear and understandable manner. The nomination could be for a specific project or for long-term excellence. This award recognizes effective translation of science, scholarship related to cultural resources, and/or management into accessible public-facing communication with documented audience impact. Nominations should highlight how the communications have: (1) have increased Conservation Impact / Achievements through better public engagement and understanding; (2) been based on Scientific/Scholarly Integrity that builds credibility and public trust; (3) shown clear, documented Application to Management while making it understandable to the public; (4) demonstrated Problem Solving in Context; and (5) been accomplished through Collaboration. (Given in even-numbered years)
The George Melendez Wright Award for Excellence, given in recognition of lifetime contributions on behalf of the Society or in furtherance of its purposes. This is the Society’s highest award, and it is reserved for exceptional achievements in any of the areas with which the GWS is concerned. It is a top-of-career award. Nominations should highlight: (1) the Conservation Impact of the nominee’s work; (2) the Scientific/Scholarly Integrity underlying the work; (3) the work’s Application to Management; (4) how the work demonstrates Problem Solving in Context; and (5) the nominee’s Collaboration and Leadership/Mentorship qualities, including teaching if applicable. (Given in even-numbered years)
The other three GWS awards will next be given out at the 2027 GWS ParkForum workshop:
The GWS Cultural Resource Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in research, management, or education related to the cultural resources of parks, cultural and historic sites, reserves, protected/conserved areas, and other forms of place-based conservation. (Given in odd-numbered years)
The GWS Natural Resource Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in research, management, or education related to the natural resources of parks, reserves, protected/conserved areas, and other forms of place-based conservation. (Given in odd-numbered years)
The GWS Social Science Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in social science research, management, or education related to parks, reserves, protected/conserved areas, cultural and historic sites, and other forms of place-based conservation. (Given in odd-numbered years)
GWS awards consist of a plaque, a stipend to help pay the winner’s expenses to the presentation event, and a year’s complimentary membership in the Society.
How do I make a nomination?
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Nominations must come from GWS members in good standing. (To check your membership status, send a note to info@georgewright.org.) The person being nominated need not be a member, however.
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The nomination must be of an individual, not a group. However, it is permissible to reference the nominee’s involvement with a team in the nomination.
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Nominations must be made through the webform below.