The William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award, established in 1995, is given annually, if warranted, to an individual or organization for a singular accomplishment or long-term contributions that advance aquatic resource conservation at a national or international level. 

The award is administered by the Past President’s Advisory Council.

Submit Your Nomination

A nomination package should include a strong and detailed letter describing the nominee’s accomplishments and the evidence for being “significant at a national or international level”.  If the nomination is for an individual, include a CV if possible.  Nominations may be supported by multiple individuals by signing one letter, or by submitting supporting letters in addition to the main nomination letter.

AFS is using a new awards submission platform for 2023! Awards should be submitted online unless otherwise noted at https://afsawards.awardsplatform.com/.

Nominations typically require a candidate’s name, full contact information, biographical information, and qualifications for the award and/or history of service to the Society. The nomination package should include a cover/nomination letter that describes the nominee’s qualifications and any relevant projects; letter should include the title and contact information for both the nominator and the nominee. Cover letters should be limited to two pages.

Up to three supporting documents will be accepted for each nomination. Supporting documents may include a current CV (up to 4 pages) and additional supporting letters (up to 2 pages).

The Awards Committee is dedicated to AFS goal of increasing diversity and inclusion within our Society. As part of this effort, we highly encourage nominations for individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the fisheries field.

Nomination deadline: April 1, 2023.

Contact: Christine Moffitt & Bob Hughes, Past Presidents’ Advisory Council Chairs

Submit nominations online: https://afsawards.awardsplatform.com/

Past Award Recipients

• 1995 Brian Tobin
• 1996 Norville Prosser, Gary Edwards, Robert Batky, Bill Price, Helen Sevier, Tom Bedell
• 1997 Not awarded
• 1998 Robert H. Boyle, John Cronin, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
• 1999 Great Lakes Fishery Commission
• 2000 Robert Behnke
• 2001 Pacific Biological Station
• 2002 Gary Matlock
• 2003 Michael Sissenwine
• 2004 Gary E. Davis
• 2005 Vyacheslav P. Shuntov
• 2006 Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division, NOAA
• 2007 Walter R. Courtenay
• 2008 Robin S. Waples
• 2009 David A. Fournier
• 2010 William Walter Fox
• 2011 Joseph S. Nelson
• 2012 John Helle
• 2013 Brian J. Shuter
• 2014 Ronald Taylor
• 2015 Coalition of Columbia Basin Tribes, a group of 15 Columbia River basin tribes and Canadian First Nations
• 2016 Michael Jones
• 2017 Jim Reynolds
• 2018 Center for the Advancement of Population Assessment Methodology
• 2019 Joseph Cech, Jr.
• 2020 Douglas Dixon
• 2021 Reef Environmental Education Foundation and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, for the Grouper Moon Project
• 2022 Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation
• 2023 International Year of the Salmon