Marianne Hudson Awarded Conservation Communicator of the Year

Congratulations to Russell Lands On Lake Martin’s Naturalist Marianne on receiving this prestigious honor! If you’ve been to one of her Wildlife Presentations, you know what a gifted and engaging communicator she is.

Marianne Hudson Awarded Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Alabama Wildlife Federation

Marianne Hudson was presented the Conservation Communicator of the Year Award at the 2020 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony on Friday, August 7, 2020.

This year’s event was specifically modified to incorporate COVID-19 safety precautions. Usually an indoor banquet with 400 attendees, the 2020 event was limited to 90 attendees and held outdoors in the 7,200-square-foot Matt W. Bowden Gathering Area at the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s NaturePlex facility in Millbrook. Additional precautions included the use of face coverings and no self-serve food or beverage. Award recipients and presenters were allowed short, mask-free photo-ops. Governor Kay Ivey provided a congratulatory video prepared specifically for the 2020 Award Recipients.

The AWF Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards (GCAA) are the most respected conservation honors in the state of Alabama. Over the past 45 years, AWF has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources.

Following a stellar role as Assistant Director of the Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University, Marianne Hudson joined the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in 2017 as Conservation Outreach Specialist.

Once at the Division, she quickly embraced new TV stations, public radio, and effective use of the department’s Outdoor Alabama website to communicate the Divisions programs and conservation messages related to the diverse flora and fauna of Alabama.

Marianne has been the go-to person for communicating with the general public on important topics such as proper human/wildlife interactions, special programs, and new laws and regulations. She also leads the Social Media efforts for the Division, and the “new flair” found on their Facebook page is a direct result of her tireless efforts and creativity.

Presenting Sponsors for the event were Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy. The Westervelt Company, Hammer LGC, Inc., and FirstGuard, LLC, sponsored the food and refreshments for the event. Alabama Gulf Seafood was sponsored by the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. Additional sponsor support was provided by the National Wildlife Federation, Southeast Region.

AWF’s GCAA was created to promote leadership by example and in turn increase conservation of the natural resources in the state of Alabama including its wildlife, forests, soils, water and air.  The program is designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of conservation practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare of their community and state.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization.  The mission of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity.  To learn more about AWF, including membership details, programs and projects, contact Alabama Wildlife Federation at 334-285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.

Pictured above: Presenting the awards were Grant Lynch, AWF President; Mike Godfrey with Alabama Power Company; Chris Blankenship, Conservation Commissioner; and Horace Horn with PowerSouth Energy. Accepting the award was Marianne Hudson.