Florida Land Managers Honored for Conservation Excellence
In a commendable stride towards environmental stewardship, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have announced the recipients of the 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year award.
The award recognizes individuals from the Florida Park Service, Florida Forest Service, and FWC who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to natural resource management, setting Florida as a benchmark for conservation efforts across the nation.
Florida Park Service: Patty Wilbur
Patricia “Patty” Wilbur, a Biological Scientist II at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, has been lauded for her over two decades of service. Her significant contributions include large-scale habitat restoration and fire management efforts in northwest Florida.
Wilbur spearheaded a pioneering upland pine restoration project in 2018, revitalizing 1,005 acres of crucial flatwoods habitat. She has also managed numerous prescribed burns, covering extensive acreage in her capacity as a certified prescribed burn manager.
Florida Forest Service: Charlie Pedersen
Charlie Pedersen, Biologist III at Waccasassa Forestry Center, has served the Florida Forest Service for 28 years, managing state forests and endangered species. His tenure at Goethe State Forest saw the recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker, with breeding pairs increasing significantly.
Pedersen’s innovative use of technology complements his traditional conservation methods. As a certified drone pilot, he enhances monitoring and planning across Florida’s forests. “Charlie Pedersen is exactly the kind of professional the Florida Forest Service is built on,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson.
FWC: Matthew Koenig
Matthew Koenig, a Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist III, manages wildlife and environmental areas, focusing on habitat quality and species support. His use of prescribed fire has improved conditions for species like Bachman’s sparrows and gopher tortoises.
FWC Executive Director Roger Young praised Koenig’s contributions, saying, “Matt is the perfect choice for winning this honorable award. His expertise, dedication, and leadership have all been instrumental to the significant improvements made to wildlife habitat in the WEAs he manages.”
The Jim Stevenson Resource Manager of the Year Award honors James A. Stevenson, a pivotal figure in Florida’s conservation history whose work in ecosystem management and fire control has laid the foundation for contemporary environmental practices.
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