Women & Wildlife Awards
Our Women & Wildlife Awards are presented every year to two special individuals 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.
March is National Women’s History Month and during that time we celebrate and recognize the achievements of exceptional women in the wildlife sciences. Wildlife careers are physically and intellectually challenging, and while women are often a minority in these professions, many have excelled in wildlife careers across the nation and particularly in New Jersey.
Our honorees have distinguished records of achievements with demonstrated leadership in their fields. They have served as important role models and/or mentors to others. By acknowledging these special people, we hope to encourage more young women to see the biological sciences, especially wildlife biology, as real career possibilities.
This year we are pleased to announce the names of two outstanding women being honored with this year’s Women and Wildlife Award. We congratulate Annette Scherer and Marie Springer, this year’s honorees.
Zoom+ 2010 Women and Wildlife Award recipient Annette Scherer.
Annette Scherer
Annette Scherer, of Germania, New Jersey, is the 2010 recipient of the Women & Wildlife Leadership Award. She 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.
Zoom+ 2010 Women and Wildlife Award Recipient Marie Springer
Marie Springer
Marie Springer of Sussex, NJ, is the Women & Wildlife Inspiration Award recipient for 2010.
As a dedicated volunteer, talented artist and skilled researcher, Ms. Springer has worked tirelessly to protect and expand of the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and to educate the public about its diverse wildlife.
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 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.
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.
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.”
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