15 Honored in 56th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards
Tennessee Wildlife Federation recognizes leaders in conservation from across the state
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Wildlife Federation, one of the largest and oldest nonprofits dedicated to the conservation of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources, recognized 15 individuals and companies from all corners of the state for its 56th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards. To ensure the health and safety of this year’s winners, the Federation celebrated the awards virtually on May 19th, 2021.
“This is the Federation’s 56th year hosting the awards and our 75th anniversary as an organization,” said Kendall McCarter, chief development officer for the Federation.
“Being our 75th anniversary and after a year when the great outdoors were more important to our daily lives than usual, we are eager to recognize and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond for Tennessee’s natural places,” McCarter stated.
Awards spanned from Conservation Communicator and Conservation Educator to Forest Conservationist and the Z. Cartter Patten Award for many years of service to the cause of conservation in Tennessee.
The honorees of the 56th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards are as follows.
Dan & Cherie Hammond Sharing the Harvest Award, for outstanding support of Hunters for the Hungry
Keith Clow of Clarksville, Tennessee
Keith Clow owns and manages Hunters Harvest Deer Processing. When Clow opened his business in 2006—after retiring from the US Army—he became a certified processor for the Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program. During his 15 years with the program, Clow has processed 530 deer providing more than 24,000 servings of protein to locals in need.
In 2018, Clow set a goal to feed more hungry Tennesseans in his community by processing as many donations as he could. In 2019, he processed 67 deer and in 2020 he hit his personal best, processing 109 donations. His enthusiastic support for the program and passion to serve others make Clow a model within the program.
- Z. Cartter Patten Award — Senator Lamar Alexander Jr. of Maryville, Tennessee
- J. Clark Akers, III Champion of Conservation Award — Tom Rice of Nashville, Tennessee
- Chairman’s Award — Libby and Frank Duff of Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Wildlife Conservationist of the Year — Greg Vital of Georgetown, Tennessee
- Land Conservationist of the Year — Cayce McAlister of Nashville, Tennessee
- Forest Conservationist of the Year — Bridgestone Americas Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee
- Conservation Organization of the Year — Nashville Symphony in Nashville, Tennessee
- Conservation by Business — Grasslands Environmental in Nashville, Tennessee
- Conservation Educator of the Year — Connie Deegan of Elizabethton, Tennessee
- Conservation Communicator of the Year — Jenifer Wisniewski of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
- Youth Conservationist of the Year — Cash Daniels of Chattanooga, Tennessee
- On Target Award — Doug Bryant of Knoxville, Tennessee
- Dan & Cherie Hammond Sharing the Harvest Award — Keith Clow of Clarksville, Tennessee
- Gedeon D. Petit Memorial Award — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Public Land Duck Hunting Team with work statewide
- Hunter Education Instructor of the Year — Philip Ware of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
About Tennessee Wildlife Federation
Tennessee Wildlife Federation is an independent nonprofit dedicated to conserving Tennessee’s wildlife, waters, and wild places. Since 1946, the Federation has spearheaded the development of the state’s wildlife policy, advanced landmark legislation on air and water quality, and other conservation initiatives helped restore numerous species and introduced thousands of kids to the great outdoors.
To learn more, visit tnwf.org.
