Historical Award Recipients

See below or this spreadsheet to learn about all past awardees. 

2022

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – John Schoen
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions – Susan Grace
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Vicki Clark
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Iris Montesano
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video  – Elsa Sebastian and Colin Arisman
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Joanna Young
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Crystal Leonetti
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Organization Doing Conservation Work – The Imago Initiative Team at The Wilderness Society

2021

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Marilyn Sigman
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions – David Raskin
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Chris Rose
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Emily Taylor 
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video  – Mark Titus
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Kate Morse
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Louise Brady
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Organization Doing Conservation Work – Hoonah Indian Association

2020

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardJim Kowalsky
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions – Owen Guthrie
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Tom Waldo
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Cassidy Austin-Merlino
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video  – Jeff Jones
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Kendra Bush
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Wanda “Kashudoha” Loescher Culp
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Bird Treatment and Learning Center

2019

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardJim Stratton
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Michael McKimens
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Polly Carr
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists (2) – Karl Pfeiffenberger & Cate Gomez
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Drew Hamilton
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Kristen Romanoff
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Heather Kendall Miller
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA)

2018

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Wayne Weihing
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Randall “Rand” Hagenstein
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Jode Sparks
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Ben Hamilton  
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Patrick Ryan
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Bernadette Demientieff
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Trustees for Alaska

2017

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Rick Sinnott
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Frank Kein
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Nicole Whittington-Evans
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Tyroan “Roan” Rediske
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Carl Johnson  
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Richard Carstensen
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Patty Schwalenberg
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust

2016

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardBart Koehler
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Jan Wrentmore
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Brad Meiklejohn
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Victoria Morozova and Esau Sinnok
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Art Wolfe
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Carmen Field
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Jane Qilaavsuk Thompson and Robert Thompson
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Alaska Marine Conservation Council
  • Special Recognition – Larry and Judy Heilman & Ron and Bobbi Burnette

2015

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardHelen Nienhueser
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Becky Long
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Marilyn Heiman
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Griffin Plush
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Florian Schultz
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Laurel Devaney
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – United Tribes of Bristol Bay

2014

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardBob Childers
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Eric Jorgensen
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Shanelle Afcan
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Cathy Rezabeck
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Gwich’in Steering Committee
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Cook Inletkeeper

2013

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Roberta Highland
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Eric Myers
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Leila Pyle, Madeline Rafferty, and Justice Sky
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Michael Melford
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Dan Pascucci
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Victoria Hykes Steere
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Great Land Trust

2012

  • Lifetime Achievement Award Jack Lentfer
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Wally and Jerri Cole
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Tim Bristol
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Joseph Ransdell-Green, Aurora Hoefferle, and Nicole George
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Ken Tape
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Tom Burek
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Orville Huntington
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – World Wildlife Fund Arctic Field Program

2011

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Stacy Studebaker
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Dorothy Childers
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Maka Monture
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Robert H. “Bob” Armstrong   
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Daisy Lee Bitter
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Caleb Pungowiyi
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization – Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats

2010

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Theodore “Chip” Thoma
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Bob Shavelson
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Oceana Wills
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – The Last Days of Shishmaref   
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Ann Ghicadus
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Joan Kane
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Sanford “Sandy” Rabinowitch

2009

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Mike O’Meara
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Deborah Williams
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Megan Waggoner
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Red Gold
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Mark Kelley
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Mark Ross
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Roger Kaye

2008

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardTom Meacham
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Andrew Keller
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – James Stratton
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Bryce Timm
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Amy Gulick
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Marilyn Sigman
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Judy Alderson

2007

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Nancy Bale
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Robert “Buck” Lindekugel
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Cheryl Lockwood
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Carl Battreall  
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Duane Gill
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Vic Fischer

2006

  • Lifetime Achievement Award Richard Nelson
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Sarah James
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Victor Van Ballenberghe
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Kasey Aderhold
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Being Caribou  
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Tom Walker
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Fritz Kraus
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Phyllis Fast
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Rep. Paul Seaton

2005

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Richard Gordon and Sean McGuire
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Fran Mauer
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Abigail Turner
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Dale Djerassi and Bo Boudart  
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – George Herben
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – James Angaiak

2004

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardLowell Thomas, Jr., Jim and Mary Lou, King and Peg Tileston
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Nina Faust and Ed Bailey
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Kay Brown and Peter Van Tuyn
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Verner Wilson, III
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography –  James Barker
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Robin Dublin
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Larry Merculieff
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Senator Johnny Ellis

2003

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Gail and Larry Mayo
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Matt Kirchhoff
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Megan McBride, Deborah Malinowski, Corey Rennell
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – UAA Environmental Club
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Leo and Dorothy Keeler
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Cherilyn Holter
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Martha Ramoth
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Molly McCammon

2002

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardJay Hammond, Mark Ganopole, Hickock and Walt Parker
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – K. J. Metcalf
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Sally Kabisch
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Carly Allen, Jessica Lazar, Sarah Bryner
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Subhankar Banerjee
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Steve Merli
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Patricia Wade
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Sharon Cissna

2001

  • Lifetime Achievement AwardCelia Hunter and Ginny Wood
  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Cindy Adams 
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Pam Miller
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Jonas Parker, John Sikes, Meghan Sinnott, Caitlin Stern
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video –   Kevin Hartwell
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Robert Belous
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Van Waggoner
  • Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Joanna Wassillie
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Ted Smith

2000

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Stan Stephens
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Jack Hession
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Makela Mahoney and Nathan Senner
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Dan Zatz
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Kim Heacox
  • Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Belle Mickelson
  • Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements – Mike Miller

1999

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Mary Lou King
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Larry Aumiller
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Jamie Bourgeious, Louisa Bolton-Ast, and Angela Peters
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Cindy Pilot, Loudon Tribal Council
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott

1998

  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Rebecca Michaelson

1997

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Don Muller
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Kevin Harun
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Ian Rowen, Tavis Davidson, Emily Jean Anderson
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Masako Westcott

1996

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Debbie Miller
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Steve Kallick
  • Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists – Sean Derry, Monique Musik, Kristina Parkinson
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography – Michio Hoshino

1995

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Jonathon Solomon
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Dave Benton and Richard Fineberg
  • Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Glendon Brunk

1994

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Nancy Lord
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – John Schoen

1993

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Riki Ott
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Rick Steiner

1992

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Joel Bennett
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – John Sisk

1991

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – June Weinstock
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Robert Childers

1990

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Larry Edwards
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Bart Koehler

1989

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Nancy Lethcoe
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Laurie Adams

1988

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Peg Tileston
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Cliff Eames

1987

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Wayne Hall
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Will Troyer

1986

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Dixie Baade
  • Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Dave Cline

1985

  • Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Ginny Hill Wood