Women & Wildlife Awards
Nominations now open to honor the inspiring work of women who have made significant impacts in wildlife conservation, serving as role models for future generations.
Photo by Jo Arlow
Save the Date! 2026 Women & Wildlife Awards Reception
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 6:00 – 9:00 PM
The Boathouse at Mercer Lake, West Windsor Township, NJ
Celebrate the inspiring women protecting New Jersey’s rare wildlife and wild places.
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s Women & Wildlife Awards celebrate and recognize outstanding women whose leadership, dedication, and achievements have advanced the conservation of New Jersey’s endangered and threatened species. Through science, education, advocacy, habitat restoration, policy, and community engagement, these remarkable women have made lasting contributions to protecting the state’s wildlife and inspiring future generations of conservation leaders. Since 2006, the Women & Wildlife Awards have honored the individuals whose vision and commitment continue to shape the future of wildlife conservation in New Jersey.
Women & Wildlife Award Nominations 2026
Nominations are now open in the following four categories: Leadership, Education, Legacy, and Service.
Awardees will be honored for their accomplishments, and commitment to wildlife conservation, as well as their efforts to inspire and uplift other women in the field. Through these awards, we aim to shine a light on their incredible contributions and encourage future generations of women to pursue careers in conservation and science. The Women & Wildlife Awards Reception will be held on October 7, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.
Deadline to submit nominations is Monday, August 24th at 5 pm.
Award Criteria & Categories
Nominees may be wildlife biologists, rehabilitators, educators, communicators, volunteers, researchers, or individuals who have dedicated their time and talent to wildlife conservation in New Jersey. Nominees must be available to attend the award ceremony. The possible criteria for nominators to consider when preparing the nomination package for the identified category are outlined below. Where applicable, please include any measurable results for each category such as:
- Number of species impacted
- Scope of public engagement or mentorship
- Resources mobilized (funding, volunteers, equipment)
- Measurable conservation outcomes
- Innovations or breakthroughs in wildlife work
Leadership
Recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing wildlife conservation through vision, collaboration, innovation, and lasting organizational, community, or conservation impact.
Education
Recognizes women who educate, engage, and inspire others to protect wildlife through effective communication, outreach, and learning. Nominees must be formal or informal educators.
Legacy
Recognizes women whose long-term dedication, leadership, and contributions have created lasting benefits for wildlife, conservation, and future generations. Their influence extends beyond individual achievements to shape the field, inspire others, and leave a meaningful legacy.
Service
Recognizes women with exceptional dedication to wildlife conservation through hands-on service, volunteerism, community engagement, and advocacy.
Support the Cause
Sponsorships are now available—ranging from $1,000 to $20,000—with meaningful benefits like recognition on-site and online, visibility to over 100,000 followers, and the opportunity to champion women-led conservation.
To learn more or become a sponsor, click the button below to view documents and/or contact Liz Silvernail at 609-250-7964 or liz.silvernail@conservewildlifenj.org.
Why It Matters
In a time of accelerating habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and extreme weather changes, the Women & Wildlife Awards honor the trailblazers whose dedication to science, environmental justice, and mentorship is shaping a more sustainable future.
Your support helps advance Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s mission through:
- Environmental education for over 8,000 students and 3,000 adults annually, including many in underserved communities
- Field science and habitat restoration for more than 40 rare and at-risk species
- Public engagement tools like speaking events and live-streaming wildlife cams that connect residents to local wildlife
2025 Women & Wildlife Awards Honorees
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the 2025 Women & Wildlife Awards!
Your support helps us honor the incredible women leading efforts to protect New Jersey’s rare wildlife. Together, we’re shining a light on their achievements, inspiring future conservationists, and advancing our shared mission to safeguard the wild places and species that make our state so special.
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 6th-10th 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.
