RESTON, Va. — The National Wildlife Federation honored George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, for his work to elevate and support the needs of wildlife through bold, collaborative efforts across the state and the nation.

“George is constantly looking to strengthen the Federation's voice through collaboration across his peer groups and fellow conservation leaders,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Through numerous policy initiatives and campaigns, George’s willingness to work jointly on common goals exemplifies the spirit of this award and the ideas at the core of our One Federation.”

“I greatly appreciate this honor and will continue to work hard to exemplify the conservation ethic that Charlie Shaw and the previous distinguished recipients brought to our collective efforts to save America’s wildlife,” Meyer said. “Working as ‘One Federation,’ the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates are fighting back against the wildlife crisis. I look forward to continuing this vital work and doing everything I can to inspire the next generation of conservation champions.”

The Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a true appreciation for the value and potential of the National Wildlife Federation-affiliate partnership. Meyer was honored during the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting and 84th anniversary celebration, which was held for the first time as a virtual event this year.

This special achievement award was created in Charlie’s memory to honor individuals whose actions reflect the spirit of his work — first as executive director of North Carolina Wildlife Federation and later as a National Wildlife Federation regional executive. Charlie loved the National Wildlife Federation. In his eyes, the Federation was not simply a relationship between “national” and each affiliate partner. Charlie rightly saw one big family — many different conservationists all working together toward the goal of protecting wildlife and habitat.

The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Awards began in 1966. Since then, the National Wildlife Federation has celebrated individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife through education, advocacy, communication and on-the-ground conservation. Previous honorees have included former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Michelle Obama and other national leaders, including U.S. Sen. John McCain and filmmaker Robert Redford.

Specific campaigns championed by Wisconsin Wildlife Federation under Meyer's leadership include the Farm Bill, Asian Carp removal, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, protecting the Endangered Species Act and many others. A pragmatic leader, Meyer is steadfast and strategic in his efforts to continually elevate both the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation in the halls of Congress, his state house and with constituents. His work to establish the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps — a youth education program to develop future conservation leaders — exemplifies this shared dedication to the Federation's conservation goals as well as his leadership in bringing other groups to the table.

Meyer’s leadership and tenure demonstrates what is possible when two organizations come together to accomplish shared goals so that America’s wildlife will be protected for generations to come.