Society Awards

The Best Student Poster Presentation Award is given to promote student participation at the Society's meetings and to recognize excellence in poster presentations.

Past Winners

The SWS Board of Directors is pleased to offer a Development Grant to Chapters and Sections in order to expand programs and membership in keeping with our mission to promote understanding, conservation, scientifically based management, and sustainable use of wetlands throughout the world. The term of the grant is a maximum of two years and amounts up to $4,000 will be considered by the SWS Awards Committee. Up to two winners will be selected each year. Chapters and Sections can apply for the Grant by completing an application where they must outline their objectives.

Selection of Chapters and/or Sections to receive funding is based on demonstration of need, quality of proposal, statement of objectives, and likelihood of success.  Grant money will be transferred to the Chapter/Section account on an incremental basis. The Chapter president and treasurer/Section Chair will be responsible for sending an annual report to the Board of Directors and the SWS Awards Committee detailing how the money was spent and how goals have (or have not) been met. There will be an opportunity for explanation after one year if goals have not yet been met. A final report will be due at the end of the grant period. Email info@sws.org if you have any questions.

Submit your Chapter/Section application here.
Deadline: May 12, 2023

The Doug Wilcox Award for Outstanding Associate Editor of Wetlands is awarded each year based on the recommendation of the Editor-in-Chief of Wetlands.

Past Winners

The Fellow Award is the highest recognition of membership bestowed by the Society. Fellows are active members of the Society (for 10 or more years) who have been nominated by other active members to receive the honor, selected by the Fellows Committee.

To nominate, essays regarding the personal and professional achievements of the nominee are required as well as a summary of the reason(s) for your nomination and up to three letters of support.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

Past Winners

The Human Diversity Award recognizes individuals that have made significant contributions to increasing the human diversity within the wetland community and of future wetland scientists through mentoring, teaching, outreach, and research focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.  Contributions may be based on career accomplishments or singular contributions to wetland science that are both notable and significant.

To nominate, a 2-3 page cover letter from the candidate or a nominator outlining the nominee’s specific educational achievements and impacts should be submitted with supporting files (maximum 5 additional pages; e.g. brief resume, support letters, examples of educational materials). Any individual in the wetland science community (including non-members) is eligible.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

The International Fellow Award is presented to an internationally outstanding wetland scientist for distinguished contributions to the field of wetland science and for fostering the aims of the SWS within their own country and abroad. Except for extraordinary circumstances, candidates should live and work outside of the United States. A nomination letter, two supporting letters and a resume are required for each nomination.  Offered on even numbered years.

Past Winners

The International Travel Awards are provided for financial assistance to wetland scientists, who are disadvantaged through regional economic conditions, to enhance their participation in Society activities. The goal of this award is to foster the participation of international membership through a travel grant to an annual meeting and free membership for three years in SWS. A personal statement, proposed itinerary and budget, a CV, and two letters of recommendation are required at the time of application.

The International Travel Award Committee recommends several awards generally of $500-2500 based on the quality of applications, according to a range of criteria:
1. Early career is prioritized over fully established scientists
2. Potential benefit to recipient
3. Potential benefit to home institution/country
4. Potential wider impact of participation (e.g. contribution anticipated in meeting)
5. Quality of submitted abstract of paper or poster.
6. Scientific accomplishments of the applicant
7. Effort made to secure funding from elsewhere - and result, if known

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

Past Winners

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have achieved special distinction in their career through contributions to wetland science and management, specific to research, education or policy. The award comes with a Lifetime membership in the Society and is offered in odd-numbered years.

A nomination letter, two supporting letters, and a CV are required for each nomination.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

Past Winners

The Mark Brinson Best Student Oral Presentation Award is given to promote student participation at the Society's meetings and to recognize excellence in oral presentations.

Past Winners

The Merit Award recognizes individuals for specific accomplishments in any field of wetland science and management in order to inspire future efforts. The award comes with a three-year membership in the Society.

A letter outlining the specific achievements of the nominee, two letters of support, and a CV are required for each nomination.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

Past Winners

The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes SWS members who have made special contributions to wetland education (public, academic or professional). This annual award comes with a three-year membership in the society for the three years following the award, and waived registration fees to attend the annual meeting when the award is conferred.

For nomination, a 2-3 page cover letter from the candidate, or nominator, outlining the nominee’s specific educational achievements and impacts should be submitted, with supporting files attached (maximum 5 additional pages; e.g. brief resume, support letters, examples of educational materials).

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

Past Winners

The Practitioner Award recognizes individuals or organizations who have made a significant and enduring contribution to advancing wetland management practice through the development of new methods, techniques, tools, or strategies for management. Nominees must have demonstrated innovation and excellence in one or more of the following categories:

• Project Conceptualization, such as the development of a new approach or approaches to wetland management
• Project Implementation, such as research and development of new techniques or tools for wetland management practices
• Project Evaluation, such as research and development of new indicators or criteria for measuring management success

To nominate, a letter outlining the specific achievements of the nominee are required as well as up to three letters of support. Nominations that are consistent with the SWS Strategic Plan are highly encouraged. Any individual or organization is eligible.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.

The President's Service Award recognizes those members who have made significant contributions by serving the Society and its members. Recipients of the Service Award have promoted the goals of the Society in their efforts that extend above and beyond their duties as teachers, researchers, and administrators.

Past Winners

The Sponsors and Endowment Award is presented to individuals, organizations, or corporations in recognition of financial sponsorship or endowment.

The SWS Multicultural Mentoring Program (SWaMMP) is our society’s program for mentoring up and coming wetland scientists from diverse backgrounds. The SWaMMP Champion Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to SWaMMP through mentoring, promotion, or other noteworthy contributions.

To nominate, a 2-3 page cover letter from the candidate or a nominator outlining the nominee’s specific educational achievements and impacts should be submitted with supporting files (maximum 5 additional pages; e.g. brief resume, support letters, examples of educational materials). Current and past members, and contributors to SWaMMP are eligible.

The deadline for 2023 nominations has passed.