Awards

Nominations
Any member of the Arizona or Student Chapters may nominate members (or non members, as appropriate) for an award. Nominations will occur annually and should be provided to the Chair of the Awards Committee. The Award Committee will review and make appropriate selections. Nominations are due to the Chair of the Awards Committee by the Fall Business meeting with awards to be made at the Winter meeting. If appropriate, Chapter Awards will then be applied to National Awards.

AZ Chapter Award Nomination Form Due by November 17th !

National Awards

Selection
The Awards Committee will have discretion in methods used for selection. Diversity in accomplishments which receive recognition is encouraged.

Awards
Actual type of awards provided will be agreed upon annually by the officers. Awards will be in the form found suitable by the Awards Committee. Awards may include, but are not limited to: Certificates, plaques, gift certificates, cash, SWCS paraphernalia, membership for 1 year covered by the chapter.

Award Category Descriptions

The Sonoran Fellow - The designation of Sonoran Fellow is conferred on Chapter members who have performed exceptional service in advancing the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. This award is given for professional excellence, conservation achievement, volunteer service, writing, teaching, fundraising, etc. Please attach a cover letter with application.

Criteria

Board members and officers of the Chapter are not eligible during their term of office.
Nominees should be widely recognized outside the Chapter and throughout the state for their expertise as a professional conservationist.
Only Chapter members with at least 10 years of membership are eligible.
Nominees shall have made significant contributions to the objectives and goals of the Chapter.
Contributions may have been through volunteer service, writing, teaching, fundraising, etc.

The Grand Canyon Outstanding Service Award - This award is given to Chapter members in recognition of distinguished service in helping the Society to develop and carry out its program over a long and sustained period of time. Accomplishments of the nominee should not be of a scope or significance warranting the degree of Sonoran Fellow, but should be greater than those required for the Saguaro Commendation Award.

Criteria

Must be a Chapter member for at least 5 years.
Board members and officers of the chapter are eligible during their term of office.
The nominee must have performed distinguished service to the Chapter on a sustained basis for at least 5 years.
The nominee's service may have been performed at the chapter or higher level but must directly benefit the Chapter and help the Society achieve it's goals and objectives.

The Saguaro Commendation Award - This award is given for an activity which was significant in the growth or development of the Chapter or Student Chapters. This could include any special project, recruiting campaigns, etc.

Criteria

Must be a Chapter member for at least 1 years.
Board members and officers of the chapter are eligible during their term of office.
The activity for which the individual is recognized should be in line with the Chapter's goals, mission, objectives, growth, and activities.
The activity shall have been instrumental, in an exceptional way, in the development or implementation of the Chapter goals.
The activity should have required exceptional time and/or effort.
The nominee's activity shall have been accomplished recently, but not necessarily a long sustained project, and may have been done over a period of less than a year.

The Painted Desert Honor Award - This award recognizes individuals, organizations, corporation, etc., usually nonmembers of the Chapter, for outstanding accomplishments compatible with mission of the Chapter.

Criteria

Chapter members and nonmembers are eligible.
A nominee's outstanding accomplishment must be widely recognized by leaders in soil and water conservation and/or related fields.
The nominee's influence or position should have materially stimulated interest in and advancements in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.
These accomplishments should have required exceptional time and/or effort.
The nominee's activities shall have been of a voluntary nature and not part of his or her normal working duties.
The activity for which the nominee is recognized should be in line with the Chapter's goals, mission, objectives, growth, and activities.

The Cactus Wren Merit Award - This award is given in recognition of an outstanding and noteworthy conservation activity or products of organizations, agencies, or firms that promotes the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.

Criteria

Chapter members and nonmembers are eligible.
Board members and officers of the Chapter are not eligible during their term of office.
The activity for which the nominee is recognized should be in line with the Chapter's goals, mission, objectives, growth, and activities.
The activity shall have been instrumental, in an exceptional way, in the development or implementation of conservation objectives.
These accomplishments should have required exceptional time and/or effort.
The nominee's activity shall have been accomplished recently, but not necessarily a long sustained project, and may have been done over a period of less than a year.
A nominee's outstanding accomplishment must be widely recognized by leaders in soil and water conservation and/or related fields.
The nominee's activities shall have been of a voluntary nature and not part of his or her normal working duties.

The CARE Award (Conservation of Arizona's Resources through Education Award) - This award recognizes individuals or groups for their efforts in conducting a successful conservation education program. This would include excellence in educating the public (of any age) in or out of a classroom about conservation issues.

Criteria

This award is to recognized individuals or groups for a program or activity that involves conservation education.
Chapter members and nonmembers are eligible.
The education program for which the nominee is being recognized should be in line with the Chapter's goals, mission, objectives, growth, and activities.
The education program shall have been instrumental, in an exceptional way, in developing or implementing the publics’ conservation views.