Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is responsible for recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the conservation and/or knowledge of desert tortoises and their habitat, or to achieving the goal and objectives of the Desert Tortoise Council.  We consider several awards at our annual symposia.

Awards

The following awards are considered on an annual basis and provided at Annual Symposia:

Kristin H. Berry Annual Award
This is the Council’s oldest and most prestigious award. It recognizes an individual or organization that has made especially significant or unique contributions to the conservation and/or knowledge of desert tortoises, or to achieving the goal and objectives of the Desert Tortoise Council over the long term.

Robert C. Stebbins Research Award
This award recognizes an individual who has an outstanding record of research, in any of a number of scientific disciplines, which contributes to the understanding of desert tortoises and/or desert ecosystems and their biota.

James A. St. Amant Special Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding or unique contributions to the conservation of desert tortoises and/or the desert environment.

Glenn R. Stewart Service Award
This award recognizes a member of the Desert Tortoise Council or an organization that has demonstrated a continuing commitment to the goal and objectives of the Desert Tortoise Council and/or served with distinction in various roles.

Pat von Helf Recognition Award
This award is made in memory of Pat von Helf, a teacher and long‐serving Corresponding Secretary of the Desert Tortoise Council, to an individual or group that exemplifies Pat’s long‐term, humble service to the Desert Tortoise Council and/or dedication to the education of people of all ages about desert tortoises and/or the desert environment.

Power of Persistence Award
This award recognizes the often-overlooked efforts of an individual, organization, or agency that, due to their determination, has successfully navigated regulatory, bureaucratic, or political processes to accomplish important conservation decisions or actions for the tortoise.

Implementation of Conservation Action Award
This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or agencies that successfully advocated for and implemented on-the-ground actions for the benefit of desert tortoise populations or habitats.