2010 Honorees
In 2010, Annette Scherer, Marie Springer, and Dr. Carol Slocum were awarded for their work, the advances they have made for women in their professions and the contributions they have made to New Jersey’s wildlife. Awards are made for Leadership and Inspiration.
Annette Scherer
Leadership
Zoom+ 2010 Women and Wildlife Award recipient Annette Scherer.
Annette Scherer, of Germania, New Jersey is a Senior Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service who has successfully worked with Federal, State and non-governmental agencies in developing and implementing efforts to protect and preserve endangered and at-risk wildlife over a twenty-eight year career.
Ms. Scherer’s work has been particularly instrumental in the protection of New Jersey’s beach-nesting bird populations, including piping plovers, the American oystercatchers, the skimmers and the terns. She succeeded in having the red knot, a threatened shorebird that relies on a thriving population of horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay, designated as a candidate for listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. She played a pivotal role in securing funds to carry out the necessary studies and research and continues to share her critical knowledge as the federal leader for red knots in New Jersey.
She succeeded in having the red knot designated as a candidate for listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Furthermore, according to Martin Miller, Chief of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service’s Northeast Regional Office Endangered Species Program, “Annette has been a leading force behind Indiana bat recovery in the Northeast. She provides up-to-date information on Indiana bat issues to her State and Federal counterparts, assists in obtaining funding for multi-state recovery activities, participates in field studies and mentors biologists new to Indiana bat life history and ecology.” Her work has taken on added importance in light of the white-nose syndrome that is decimating the region’s bat populations.
Respected as a true champion of wildlife conservation, Ms. Scherer has not only demonstrated expertise within her field but also served as a trusted mentor for many biologists working to protect a broad range of endangered species. Her ability to lead as well as to build partnerships has set her apart.
Marie Springer
Inspiration
As a dedicated volunteer, talented artist and skilled researcher, Marie Springer has worked tirelessly to protect and expand of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge and to educate the public about its diverse wildlife.
Zoom+ 2010 Women and Wildlife Award Recipient Marie Springer
As founder and president of the Friends of Wallkill River since its inception in 2006, Ms. Springer’s has served as an inspiration to others through her service and dedication. Applying her artistic talents to her work has taken many forms. She constructed a bat cave from brown wrapping for last year’s Refuge Day, handmade over thirty wildlife costumes for the refuge’s annual Nocturnal Creature night, and hand painted a 275-foot mural depicting the Wallkill River and its wildlife. As part of her valuable research, she collected and documented over 5,000 native bees and was actively engaged in the protection of the endangered Indiana bat population.
Recognizing the severe impact of White Nose Syndrome to the region’s indigenous bats, Ms. Springer played a critical role in raising awareness not only within the environmental community but also in the United States Congress. Her efforts were instrumental in obtaining $1.9 million for research and prevention of the disease.
Recognizing the impact of White Nose Syndrome to the region’s indigenous bats, she played a critical role in raising awareness within the environmental community and in the United States Congress.
Ms. Springer received the Environmental Quality Award in 2008 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In 2009 she was named Volunteer of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge System.
In recommending Ms. Springer for this award, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg wrote “Marie serves as an inspiration to others through her hard work, endless hours of volunteer service and tenacity. She never gives up on any of her goals or projects and will continue to fight and gently persuade until she accomplishes that desired result. New Jersey’s environment and our wildlife could not have a stronger and more dedicated advocate than Marie Springer.”
Dr. Carol Slocum
Leadership
On September 24, 2010, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey presented a posthumous Women and Wildlife Leadership Award in Dr. Slocum’s honor to her family. Dr. Slocum passed away earlier that year.
Zoom+ Dr. Carol Slocum, surveying at New Jersey's largest seal colony. © Mike Davenport
Carol had been an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at the Richard Stockton College of NJ and had taught there for three decades. She was the leading expert on seal behavior and ecology within New Jersey, having conducted surveys with her students since 1994 at the state’s largest seal colony.
Carol had devoted over 30 years to the service of science and wildlife conservation and had been an active and helpful partner to the state’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program. She played a vital role in identifying threats to marine mammals within New Jersey as well as recommending potential strategies for addressing those threats.
