WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ron Warnken, the National Wildlife Federation’s Southeast Director of Conservation Partnerships (DCP), has received the federation’s annual Kent Salazar Director of Conservation Partnerships Award. A lifelong advocate for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, Warnken is recognized for partnering closely with state affiliates on expanding the federation’s nationally recognized Southeast Forestry Program.

“Ron’s work embodies the values of One Federation and exemplifies how strong partnerships with affiliates can lead to transformational conservation outcomes,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “By fostering effective relationships across the southeast and Caribbean, he’s played a leading role in expanding environmental education and restoring some of our nation’s most important natural treasures from the southeastern forests and the Gulf to the Everglades and island ecosystems.”

“Our southeast affiliate partners offer unparalleled on-the-ground expertise, guiding our conservation work at every step of the process,” said Warnken. “It’s been deeply rewarding to work with these outstanding leaders in service of our broader wildlife habitat restoration goals.”

Warnken, who joined the federation in 2002, collaborates directly with the federation’s state and territorial affiliates in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In his work with the Southeast Forestry Program, he advocates for the restoration of critical longleaf pine ecosystems in partnership with private landowners, universities and local governments. Outside of work, he is an avid hunter, angler, birder, naturalist and outdoorsman.

The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Awards began in 1966. Since then, the National Wildlife Federation has celebrated individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife through education, advocacy, communication and on-the-ground conservation. Previous honorees have included former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Michelle Obama, and other national leaders, including U.S. Senator John McCain and filmmaker Robert Redford.