Celebrating Wildlife and the People Who Care for It
Women & Wildlife 2008: Awards and Art




March is National Women’s History Month and during that time we celebrate and recognize the achievements of exceptional women in the wildlife sciences. Our Women & Wildlife Awards are presented every year to two special individuals for their work, the advances they have made for women in their professions and the contributions they have made to New Jersey’s wildlife. Awards are made for Leadership and Inspiration.

Our honorees have distinguished records of achievements with demonstrated leadership in their fields. They have served as important role models and/or mentors to others. By acknowledging these special people, we hope to encourage more young women to see the biological sciences, especially wildlife biology, as real career possibilities.

This year we are thrilled to honor Barbara Brummer and Diane Nickerson, two amazing women who embody the spirit of our Women and Wildlife awards.

Dr. Barbara Brummer is being honored with the 2008 Women & Wildlife Leadership Award. She provides a strong voice for the protection of New Jersey’s wildlife through her role as state director of The Nature Conservancy, her service on the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program Advisory Council, and as a board member of the New Jersey Audubon Society.

For Barbara, the key to wildlife conservation is educating and encouraging stewardship in the next generation. She shares her enthusiasm for nature and wildlife by teaching college classes, leading field expeditions, and providing guidance for the College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Council at Montclair State University and the Pocono Environmental Education Center. As a scientist, educator, and conservation leader, she has devoted great energy and passion to the protection of wildlife and habitat in our state.

Diane Nickerson, our 2008 Women & Wildlife Inspiration Award honoree, is director of the Mercer County Wildlife Center. For the past 13 years Diane has skillfully managed and expanded the capabilities of this busy rehabilitation center, training a corps of volunteers to treat and care for more than 2,000 injured, ill and displaced native animals each year. She and her small staff reach out to the community with an average of 100 educational programs annually to promote wildlife conservation and encourage peaceful co-existence with wildlife

Diane is a leader in bringing recognition to wildlife rehabilitation as a profession. She is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Association for Wildlife Rehabilitators and an active member of the Board of Directors for the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.

These outstanding women received their honors at Women & Wildlife 2008: Awards and Art on March 29, 2008 at the historic Prallsville Mills in Stockton, NJ. All proceeds from the Reception support rare wildlife protection in our state. We are grateful to Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and PNC Bank for their sponsorship of this event.

Enjoy photos of the day below: