Congratulations to Jonathon Cepak!
Johnathon Cepak, Wildlife Ecologist at Cleveland Metroparks, was the 2024 recipient of OWMA’s Annual Achievement Award.
Johnathan is well deserving of this award, and OWMA is honored to be able to recognize him for contribution to the field of wildlife science and management.
Awards
One of OWMA’s objectives is to present an Annual Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding contribution to wildlife research and management in Ohio. The Award is presented to an active OWMA member who has made an outstanding contribution to wildlife management in any of the following areas:
- Writing technical or popular papers on wildlife management in journals or magazines.
- Writing or developing newspaper articles or columns, drawings, motion pictures, paintings, photographs, books, bulletins, pamphlets, or radio and TV scripts.
- Development of new equipment or techniques.
- Development of new and successful game or fish management techniques in the wild or at fish and game hatcheries.
- Active and proven conservation-education programs for youth and/or the general public.
- Exceptional performance of duties in wildlife administration or education.
The Award may also be presented for a specific accomplishment or for consistent and noteworthy career performance.
Anyone may make a nomination for the Annual Achievement Award. To submit a nomination, send an email to OWMA.Secretary@gmail.com. Please include the nominee’s full name and affiliation, along with a contact address and phone number. In order for the nominee to receive a full review, you should also include a list of their career and/or academic accomplishments and a brief justification explaining how they meet one or more of the criteria listed above.
Past Award Recipients
2024: Jonathon Cepek, Wildlife Ecologist, Cleveland Metro Parks
2023: Dr. Robert J. Gates, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, The Ohio State University
2022: Lori Stevenson
2021: Mark DeBrock
2020: David Sherman
2019: Dr. Mike Tonkovich
2018: Allen Lea, Assistant Wildlife Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2017: Mike Zaleski
2016: Heidi Devine, Private Lands Biologist, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2015: Dan McMillen, Assistant Wildlife Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2014: Roger Knight,
2013: Gary Ludwig, Wildlife Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2012: Jim Kerr
2011: Dan Huss,
2010: Carolyn Caldwell
2009: Alan Dieter, Wildlife Area Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2008: Steve Gray, Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife
2007: Tom Henry, Assistant Wildlife Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
2006: No Recipient
2005: No Recipient
2004: Prof. Tom Stockdale, Professor Emeritus, University Extension and School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University
2003: Mike Budzik, Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife
2002: Gene Shitten
2001: Brian Armitage
2000: Steve Wilcox
1999: Save Scott
1998: Gary Isbell
Congratulations to Jonathon Cepak!
Johnathon Cepak, Wildlife Ecologist at Cleveland Metroparks, was the 2024 recipient of OWMA’s Annual Achievement Award.
Johnathan is well deserving of this award, and OWMA is honored to be able to recognize him for contribution to the field of wildlife science and management.