Women & Wildlife Awards 2025

Our 2025 Women & Wildlife Award Honorees

Leadership

Christina “Kashi” Davis

As a dedicated Principal Zoologist for New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife, Christina “Kashi” Davis has been at the forefront of conservation efforts to protect coastal birds along the New Jersey shoreline for over two decades. Through tireless fieldwork, strategic habitat management, and close coordination with local communities, agencies and volunteers, Kashi has significantly contributed to the monitoring and management of vulnerable beach-nesting, wading, and secretive marsh bird species that rely on New Jersey’s highly developed coastal habitats to survive and thrive.

She places a high value on collaboration and is especially proud of her contributions to the protection of Horseshoe Island, the forthcoming Shore Protection Rule, and various habitat management initiatives, including the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab and the Barnegat Light Restoration Area. Her service, leadership, deep ecological knowledge, and unwavering passion have been a beacon protecting wildlife, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

Inspiration

Lori Swanson

As Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge since 2012, Lori Swanson has led one of New Jersey’s most comprehensive wildlife care programs, treating over 7,700 wild patients annually across dozens of native species. Under her expert oversight, the refuge has seen transformative improvements in survival and release rates for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife through advanced medical treatments and specialized care plans.

Lori’s expertise and passion extend beyond animal care into education and mentorship. She manages the refuge’s non-releasable Wildlife Ambassadors—educational representatives of their species—who have reached thousands of people statewide through dynamic outreach programs. In addition, she has served as an inspiring mentor, providing in-depth training to hundreds of interns and volunteers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine.

Education

L. Mae Skrba

As Marine Science Teacher at Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) and Sedge Island Program Director for NJ Fish and Wildlife, L. Mae Skrba has influenced hundreds of children and future conservationists instilling in them a deep connection with the importance of wildlife conservation. She has been a strong female role model for over 50 college summer interns many of whom have gone on to careers as wildlife biologists, educators and wildlife researchers. Using a hands-on approach, Mae has connected with and inspired over 1000 students ranging from 12-years to adults on the importance of the wildlife that call Sedge Island/ Sandy Hook Bay home. Her innovative Field Experience for Girls program, and Ladies at S.E.A program has allowed 6^th-10^th graders to learn from other women in science about wildlife research and conservation. Through teaching and mentoring at MAST she is able to provide hands-on experiences that have been used in research, conservation and furthering education. Mae’s passion for marine wildlife and her creativity have engaged students and the public inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Legacy

Virginia Rettig

Virginia Rettig has spent over two decades in leadership roles at National Wildlife Refuges in New Jersey, where she has played an integral part in establishing key conservation partnerships and organizations, including the New Jersey Bay Islands Initiative and the Green Coalition of Atlantic City.

As Refuge Manager of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, she oversaw the stewardship of thousands of acres of critical habitat supporting hundreds of bird and wildlife species. Under her leadership, the refuge also became a premier destination for nature enthusiasts, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Virginia successfully managed multiple multimillion-dollar habitat restoration projects, with a particular focus on revitalizing salt marsh ecosystems—setting a high standard for refuge management across the region. In addition to her conservation leadership, she has served as a respected speaker, mentor, and educator, inspiring dozens of young professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions to science and wildlife conservation nationwide.

Service

Diane Wilson Cook

During her twenty-eight years as a public-school teacher in New Jersey, Diane Wilson Cook brought nature to life in her classrooms – instilling a knowledge of and love for raptors and other wildlife in thousands of students and their families. By using wildlife as a lens to teach broader life skills, she inspired thousands of young people to become environmental stewards, thoughtful leaders and informed, engaged citizens. After retiring three years ago, Diane has remained deeply committed to education and mentorship. She continues to reach audiences of all ages through her Duke Farms Eagle Cam blogs; visits schools in New Jersey to encourage teacher to incorporate wildlife and wildlife cams into their classroom in alignment with state science standards, and mentors educators nationwide who discover her work online and seek her guidance on using wildlife as a dynamic and effective teaching tool. Diane also serves as a dedicated member of the New Jersey Wildlife Conservation Corps, where she helps monitor populations of bald eagles, ospreys, and American kestrels.

Conserve Wildlife Foundation's Women & Wildlife Online Auction is now OPEN!

Bid on unique opportunities to experience the wildlife our biologists protect, as well as overnight getaways, wildlife art and photographs, museum and brewery visits, tickets and gift certificates, and much more.

Exciting new items will be added daily until the auction closes on October 15 at 7:30 pm, so keep checking back!

All proceeds will benefit our mission to preserve rare and at-risk wildlife in New Jersey through field science, habitat restoration, education, and public engagement.