Science in Practice Portal

Jim Yoakum Emerging Professional Award

Award Description

The Jim Yoakum Emerging Professional Award recognizes the accomplishment of early to mid-career BLM wildlife or fisheries biologists who have shown the initiative to make notable contributions to their profession. The award recognizes biologists who have demonstrated a high level of professionalism, leadership, and commitment to managing wildlife, fisheries, and native plants on public lands

Nomination Criteria

Candidate must demonstrate exceptional dedication to resolving complex or controversial wildlife management or conservation issues, possess outstanding communication skills and a proven track record of productive working relationships with other federal/state agencies and stakeholders, and should actively participate at local, regional, or national levels in appropriate professional societies, such as The Wildlife Society, The American Fisheries Society, Ecological Society of America, and Society for Conservation Biology.

Nominations/Submission Procedure

Nominations are accepted from State Directors, other Agencies, Professional Societies, and Non-Governmental Organizations. A brief description (1 page max) must be submitted to Frank Quamen, Division Chief, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Aquatics and Environmental Protection (fquamen@blm.gov) no later than Friday, December 31.

Award Ceremony

Awards are presented to the recipient at the North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference (held in March).

Most Recent Award Winner: Zane Ruddy, BLM California

Award History – Jim Yoakum Emerging Leader Award Recipients by Year