Commission Awards of Excellence

Recognizing People's Extraordinary Conservation Efforts in the Granite State

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission presents annual Awards of Excellence to acknowledge the contributions that people and organizations make toward achieving the Department’s mission. Beginning with the 2020 awards, there will be nine award categories recognizing outstanding achievements in areas considered to be of critical importance to the Commission (awards may not be presented in each category every year)

Nomination Forms

Nominations are due by December 31st.

Commission Award Categories:

Ellis R. Hatch, Jr. Commission Award of Excellence: Recognizing an individual, group, organization, club, foundation or agency that has excelled in efforts to promote, enhance or benefit fish, wildlife or marine resources or the Department’s mission through any variety of involvement.

2022 Winner- Robert “Bob” L’Heureux, Merrimack, NH
2021 Winner- Richard Hutchins, Dover, NH

Youth Conservationist Award of Excellence: Recognizing an individual, 18 years of age or younger, who has excelled in efforts to benefit fish, wildlife or marine resources or the Department’s mission through any variety of involvement.

2022 Winner- Ezra McGinley-Smith, Hanover, NH
2021 Winner- Jack Dalton, Manchester, NH

Communication Award of Excellence: Recognizing an outdoor communicator, writer, or media source (radio, television, magazine, newsletter or periodical) that has written or published articles or materials beneficial to public understanding about fish, wildlife or marine resources as they relate to the Department’s mission. Recipients are judged on fairness, accuracy, timeliness, balance and quality of reporting.

Conservation Organization Award of Excellence: Recognizing any organization, group, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to enhance the welfare of fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and supporting achievement of the Department’s mission. Each recipient shall be judged on their efforts to promote the wise use of natural resources for their recreational or economic value.

Volunteer Award of Excellence: Recognizing an individual who, as a volunteer with the Department, has excelled in efforts to support and achieve the Department’s mission.

Habitat Stewardship Award of Excellence: Recognizing an organization, non-governmental entity, individual or corporation that has excelled in the enhancement, conservation or creation of land management practices beneficial to New Hampshire’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and the Department’s mission.

2022 Winner- Paul Wainwright, Atkinson, NH
2021 Winner- David Roby, Sr., Lyme, NH

Landowner Appreciation Award of Excellence: Recognizing an individual who excelled in the preservation or enhancement of opportunities for public use on private property as it benefits the Department’s mission.

Search and Rescue Award of Excellence: Recognizing any organization, group, or individual, who as a volunteer, has excelled in their efforts to assist the Department in critical Search and Rescue missions around the state, or who has excelled in efforts to promote the HikeSafe program and thus preventing the need for Search and Rescue.

2022 Winner- New Hampshire National Guard, Concord, NH