Congratulations to Jonathon Cepek!

Johnathon Cepek, 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 Whitten

2001: Brian Armitage

2000: Steve Wilcox

1999: Dave Scott

1998: Gary Isbell

 

 

 

Congratulations to Jonathon Cepek!

Johnathon Cepek, 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.