Imagine Excellence: The GWS Awards Program
Nominations for 2021 Round of GWS Awards Now Open Through January 31
New this year: The GWS Socioenvironmental Justice Achievement Award
(posted December 18, 2020) Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 round of “Imagine Excellence,” the GWS Awards program. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2021. The winners will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony as part of the 2021 George Wright Society Student Summit in May (dates to be announced).
Every two years, GWS recognizes outstanding accomplishments in fields associated with research in, administration and management of, communications about, and the promotion of socioenvironmental justice in or through parks, other kinds of protected areas, cultural sites, and related supporting activities.
New this year is the GWS Socioenvironmental Justice Achievement Award. This award complements the five other GWS awards by acknowledging the important synthesis of three dimensions (social, environmental, and justice) that are at the foundation of all conservation decision-making. This new award incorporates sensitivity towards power dynamic issues and intends to improve quality of life for all members of the greater socioenvironmental community.
There are six awards:
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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.
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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, and other protected areas.
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The GWS Natural Resource Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in research, management, or education related to the natural resources of parks, reserves, and other protected areas.
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The GWS Social Science Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in social science research, management, or education related to parks, reserves, cultural and historic sites, and other protected areas.
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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 or controversial park-related subjects to the public in a clear and understandable manner.
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The GWS Socioenvironmental Justice Achievement Award, given in recognition of excellence in seeking and advocating for inclusive and impartial alternatives that proactively obviate problems associated with socioenvironmental justice.
GWS awards consist of a plaque, payment of the winner’s expenses to a presentation event (if in-person), 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 possible to reference the nominee’s involvement with a team in the nomination.
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Fill out the form below. The deadline is January 31, 2021.