The Gopher Tortoise Council (GTC) recognizes individuals for their service to the Council and for their accomplishments and efforts in conserving the gopher tortoise, commensals, and upland ecosystems. We thank everyone for their continued efforts and dedication.

Presented to individuals with lifetime accomplishments, and organizations with long-term efforts in conserving gopher tortoises and upland ecosystems.

  • YearRecipient
    2019John Jensen
    2018Rick McCann
    2015Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center
    2014Craig Guyer
    2012Eddie Herrmann
    2009Tom Kaplan and Orianne Recanati-Kaplan
    2006MC Davis
    2004Bob Mount
    2004Dan Speake
    2003Walter Auffenberg
    2003Dick Franz
  • Year Recipient
    2018 Rick McCann
    2015 Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center
    2014 Craig Guyer
    2012 Eddie Herrmann
    2009 Tom Kaplan and Orianne Recanati-Kaplan
    2006 MC Davis
    2004 Bob Mount
    2004 Dan Speake
    2003 Walter Auffenberg
    2003 Dick Franz
  • Year Recipient
    2018 Rick McCann
    2015 Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center
    2014 Craig Guyer
    2012 Eddie Herrmann
    2009 Tom Kaplan and Orianne Recanati-Kaplan
    2006 MC Davis
    2004 Bob Mount
    2004 Dan Speake
    2003 Walter Auffenberg
    2003 Dick Franz
  • Year Recipient
    2018 Rick McCann
    2015 Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center
    2014 Craig Guyer
    2012 Eddie Herrmann
    2009 Tom Kaplan and Orianne Recanati-Kaplan
    2006 MC Davis
    2004 Bob Mount
    2004 Dan Speake
    2003 Walter Auffenberg
    2003 Dick Franz
  • Year Recipient
    2018 Rick McCann
    2015 Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center
    2014 Craig Guyer
    2012 Eddie Herrmann
    2009 Tom Kaplan and Orianne Recanati-Kaplan
    2006 MC Davis
    2004 Bob Mount
    2004 Dan Speake
    2003 Walter Auffenberg
    2003 Dick Franz
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Presented to those who have devoted a lifetime to service of the Council.

Year Recipient
2020 Don Stillwaugh
2019 Cyndi Gates
2015 Lora Smith
2001 George L. Heinrich
2001 Joan Berish

Presented to those who have consistently offered years of service to the Council.

Year Recipient
2022 Rachel Sulkers
2021 Jessica McGuire
2020 Michelina Dziadzio
2019 Jen Howze

Presented to those who have taken the lead or played a major role in special GTC projects.

Year Recipient
2021 Jeff Goessling
2016 Dan Quinn
2015 Jen Howze
2015 Beth Schlimm
2007 Donna J. Heinrich
2006 David Steen
2001 Mark Bailey
2001 Laura Wewerka

Given to individuals who have contributed to significant education and outreach activities relevant to conservation of tortoises and upland habitats.

Year Recipient
2022 Joe and Holly Butler
2021 Coastal Ecology Lab
2019 Becky Bolt
2018 Edie Driest
2016 Carissa Kent
2014 Laura Jewell
2014 Dirk Stevenson
2011 Pat Ashton
2011 Bob Walker
2005  Ray Ashton
2003  Nancy Deyrup

These awards recognize graduate or undergraduate students giving the most outstanding oral presentations at the annual meeting. The top three presenters are recognized and receive monetary awards during the Awards Banquet. The student presentation awards were named in honor of Joan Berish following her 33-year career in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, during which she led many pioneering gopher tortoise research and conservation initiatives.

Year Award Recipient Institution
2020 Presentation (regular) 1st place  Robin Lloyd Jr. University of South Alabama
2020 Presentation (regular) 2nd place  Amelia Russell University of Georgia
2020 Presentation (speed) 1st place Nicole DeSha Georgia Southern University
2020 Presentation (speed) 2nd place Leyna Stemle University of Miami
2020 Presentation (speed) 3rd place Houston Chandler Virginia Tech