Web-based Technical Application Award
(New Category Beginning in 2008)

The Web-Based Technical Application Award recognizes excellence in the development and deployment of a fish or wildlife information-related technical application on the Web. This award combines two previous award categories: Best GIS Web-based Technical Application, and Best Non-GIS Based Technical Application.

Nominated applications will be evaluated for their usability,innovation, use of current technology, success in meeting their stated goals, and relevance to fisheries and wildlife information technology.

Eligibility for this award is open, but nominee must have retained complete creative control over the website and technical application. Nominees may be individuals or agencies/organizations.

2009 Winner: AAJ Technologies, Inc., for a new online permit system for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

2008 Winner No award presented.

Collaborative Project Award
(New Category Beginning in 2008)

The Collaborative Project Award recognizes outstanding collaboration in the development and deployment of a wildlife information-related technical application.

Nominated applications will be evaluated for their technical accomplishment, innovation, success in meeting their stated goals, and success in developing and sustaining a partnership.

Eligibility for this award is open. Nominees may be individuals or agencies/organizations.

2009 Winner No award presented.

2008 Winner No award presented.

Best Presentation Award

This award recognizes the best presentation offered at the annual meeting of the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers. Presentations are evaluated based on their oral delivery, effectiveness of accompanying graphics, thoroughness of coverage of the topic, analysis and insight into topic, and relevance to the conference theme.

2009 Winner: Bruce Schmidt, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, for his presentation "Evaluation of a New Tool for Computerizing Fisheries Data in the Field."

2008 Winner: Joel Sartwell, Missouri Department of Conservation, for his presentation "Animal-borne Video Systems: Recent Developments for Terrestrial Conservation Research."

2007 Winner: Kenneth G. Boykin of New Mexico State University for his presentation, “Application of SWReGAP Data: Perspectives from State Wildlife Agencies.”

2006 Winner: Brian Huberty of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for his presentation, “Remote Sensing Systems Overview for Fish and Wildlife Managers.”

2005 Winner: Helen Enander and Daria Hyde of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory for their presentation, “Mobile GIS Technology Assists in the Conservation of the Federally Endangered Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly in Michigan.”

Best Poster Award

This award recognizes the best poster offered at the annual meeting of the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers. Posters are evaluated based on the effectiveness of their graphics, the thoroughness of their coverage of the topic, their analysis and insight into the topic, the presenter's ability to discuss the topic, and their relevance to the conference theme.

2009 Winner: Jeff Cowen and Brendan Sylvester, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, for their poster "Scientific Data Management Team."

2008 Winner: Cathy Ricketts and Beth Stys, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, for their poster "Mapping Threats to Florida's Freshwater Habitats."

2007 Winner: Julie C. Ellis (Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine) and Megan Hines (USGS National Wildlife Health Center) for their poster, “Seabirds as Indicators on Environmental Health: Citizen Scientists Monitor Seabird Mortality throughout the Atlantic Coast of the United States.”

2006 Winner: Julie Prior-Magee (U.S. Geological Survey), Ken Boykin (New Mexico State University), Andrea Ernst (New Mexico State University), and John Lowry (Utah State University) for their poster, “Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project.”

2005 Winner: Roxanne Broadway (U.S. Geological Survey), Tom Lupo (California Department of Fish and Game), Tony McKinney (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Jennifer Pollock (U.S. Geological Survey), Robert Fisher (U.S. Geological Survey), Felicia Sirchia (U.S. Geological Survey), and Bill Perry (U.S. Geological Survey) for their poster, “BIOS: Key Partnership and Innovative Technology Enable Improved Data Sharing in Southern California.”

Student Scholarship

The OFWIM Student Scholarship recognizes academic and professional excellence among students enrolled full-time in fisheries and wildlife-related curricula at an accredited college or university, with research or studies emphasizing wildlife information management and/or geographic information systems (GIS). The scholarship award supports student attendance at the OFWIM meeting, at which they present their research.

2009 Winners:

• Michael Calkins, New Mexico State University, who presented his research on "Development of Conservation Priority Models for the American Pika (Ochotonia princeps)."
• Jefferson (Tye) Deweber, Virginia Tech University, who presented his research on "Physiographically Constrained Land Use/Land Cover Regions."
• Grant Humphries, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, who presented his research on "Modeling Dimethylsulfide in the Arctic."
• Brad Timm, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, who presented his research on "Development of a Fine-Scale, Remotely-Sensed Map of Coastal Dune and Salt Marsh Cover Types at the Cape Cod National Seashore."

2008 Winner: Andrew Whittle, University of Kentucky, who presented his research on "Black Bear and Florida Panther Habitat and the Effects of Climate Change."

OFWIM Service Awards

These awards are presented to out-going officers at the completion of their terms (Secretary, Treasurer, Member at-large, and President) in recognition of and appreciation for their service to the Organization in a leadership role.

2008/2009
Robin Carlson, President
Don Schrupp, Member At-Large

2007/2008
Sabra Schwartz, President
Aliya Ercelawn, Treasurer
Lisa Zolly, Secretary
Jennifer Carlino, Member At-Large