March 7 , 2006
Contact: Rita Mitchell, University Relations
UT Martin chapter of Wildlife Society first student group to claim state conservation award
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society recently won Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Organization of the Year, and an alumnus, Jason Maxedon, was named 2006 Forest Conservationist. Awards, based on achievements in 2005, will be presented March 21 in Nashville.
“This is the first time that a student group has won this award, which typically goes to statewide groups,” said Dr. Eric Pelren, UT Martin associate professor of wildlife biology and adviser of the student chapter.
Maxedon, of Newbern, a TWRA Region 1 employee, graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management.
The student chapter, with approximately 50 members in 2005, hosted the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Blue Ribbon Panel on West Tennessee waterfowl hunting; hosted a workshop for Northwest Tennessee rowcrop producers; initiated a “Hunting 101” program for members, to pair up wildlife majors who have never hunted with those who are experienced, to provide students with critical knowledge needed about wildlife hunting and culture; started a column in “West Tennessee Outdoors,” as a conduit between hunters and the wildlife profession; assisted and participated in the Northwest Tennessee Wild Game Cook-Off as a Tennessee Hunters for the Hungry fundraiser; and collected deer brainstems for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for a “Chronic Wasting Disease Analysis.”
In addition to annual student honors, the chapter presents two additional awards each May – one for regional “Wildlife Professional of the Year” (2005: Jason Maxedon) and one for regional non-professional “Wildlife Conservationist of the Year” (2005: Mike Johnson, Martin - 1987 UT Martin alumnus) for the best private wildlife conservation efforts.
Finally, the chapter assisted Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge with deer hunter check stations; contracted with Tyson Foods to convert 30 acres to a native prairie demonstration area; assisted with the Annual West Tennessee Youth Outdoor Jamboree; was represented at two Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission meetings; represented Tennessee at a National Wildlife Society Meeting in Madison, Wis., and Southeastern Wildlife Conference in St. Louis; and recruited for students/future wildlife professionals at several high school senior days, leadership conferences and other events.
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