Urban Wildlife Working Group Awards
The UWWG recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions advance the understanding, conservation, and management of wildlife in urban environments. Through our awards program, we celebrate the various ways people make a difference in urban wildlife science and practice, from novel research and innovative management approaches to community engagement, education, and leadership.
We invite members of our working group to nominate colleagues, collaborators, and organizations whose work has made a meaningful contribution to the field. Award recipients will be recognized at the biennial International Urban Wildlife Conference, where our community comes together to the share research findings, discuss policy ideas, and connect on the study, management, and conservation of wildlife in cities around the world.
Explore the awards below to learn more about each award’s purpose, nomination criteria, and submission requirements.
Award Descriptions
Urban Wildlife Research Award
This award recognizes distinguished contributions to the study and conservation of urban wildlife. The award honors a member of the UWWG who has made significant contributions to urban wildlife science through research and/or scholarship.
In the last three years, nominees have demonstrated one or more of the following:
Significant contributions to the scientific understanding of urban wildlife, including urban wildlife ecology, behavior, population dynamics, habitat use, human–wildlife interactions, or related fields.
Research that advances the conservation, management, or coexistence of wildlife in urban and urbanizing environments.
A sustained record of high-quality research that has contributed meaningfully to the field of urban wildlife science.
Research findings that have been applied, or have the potential to be applied, to urban wildlife conservation, management, planning, or policy.
Contributions that have advanced the methods, approaches, or conceptual foundations used to study urban wildlife.
Urban Wildlife Practitioner Award
This award recognizes significant contributions to “boots-on-the-ground” urban wildlife management, conservation, education, and/or community service. The award honors an individuals, organizations (e.g., chapters), or projects with UWWG members whose work has made a meaningful and demonstrated contribution to the conservation and management of urban wildlife and to fostering positive relationships between wildlife and urban communities.
Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following:
Significant contributions to the practical management or conservation of urban wildlife and their habitats.
Effective implementation of innovative or exemplary approaches to addressing urban wildlife challenges.
Meaningful contributions to wildlife education, outreach, or public engagement.
Exceptional service to communities through efforts that promote wildlife conservation, responsible wildlife stewardship, or human–wildlife coexistence.
Demonstrated impact on urban wildlife conservation, management practices, community outcomes, or public understanding of urban wildlife.
Leadership, collaboration, or sustained service that has advanced urban wildlife management or conservation at the local, regional, or broader level.
Where appropriate, nominees may demonstrate impact through professional, volunteer, governmental, nonprofit, educational, or community-based work.
Urban Wildlife Trailblazer Award
This award is presented to a member or organization that is part of the UWWG that has made exceptional and substantial contributions to the advancement of urban wildlife research, conservation, and management. It honors individuals or organizations whose work has created meaningful, positive, and lasting change in the field and whose contributions have helped shape its future.
Contributions may span research, management, conservation, innovation, collaboration, or other significant efforts that have advanced the field of urban wildlife.
How to Nominate
Help us recognize the people and organizations making a difference for urban wildlife. We encourage members of the urban wildlife community to submit nominations that highlight the accomplishments, contributions, and impact of deserving candidates. Note: mominees must be current members of both The Wildlife Society and the Urban Wildlife Working Group.
Please submit all nomination materials to urbanwildlifegroup@gmail.com by March 1, 2027 by the end of the day. Please include the award name in the subject line of your email.
Nominations should include the following materials:
1. Nomination Letter
A letter describing the nominee’s qualifications and the quality and significance of their contributions to urban wildlife research, conservation, and management. Because nomination letters will serve as a primary basis for evaluation by the Awards Committee, they should clearly profile the nominee’s accomplishments and explain how their work demonstrates exceptional contributions to the field.
The letter should include:
Nominee’s full name.
Nominee’s current position (title and institution).
Nominee’s address and phone number.
A description of the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions to urban wildlife research, conservation, and/or management.
An explanation of the meaningful or lasting impact of the nominee’s work on the field.
2. Supporting Materials
Nominators are encouraged to include relevant supporting materials that demonstrate the nominee’s accomplishments and impact. These may include:
Publications.
Newspaper or other media articles.
Photographs.
Reports or other relevant materials.
One or more letters of recommendation from peers or colleagues.
Supporting materials should complement the nomination letter and help the Awards Committee understand the significance and reach of the nominee’s contributions.
We look forward to celebrating the outstanding people and organizations advancing urban wildlife research, conservation, and practice. Thank you for helping us recognize their contributions!