HALL OF FAME
The GACD Hall of Fame preserves the history of the conservation movement in Georgia by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to soil and water conservation. Any person, living or deceased, who has made unusual and extraordinary contributions in the field of conservation may be nominated. All nominations must be submitted by a current GACD member. The deadline is December 31, 2023.
Click here for nomination guidelines→
Nominees for the GACD Hall of Fame shall be considered based on the following criteria:
Demonstration of truly outstanding leadership in the field of soil and water conservation.
Made unusual and extraordinary contributions to the protection of Georgia’s soil and water resources.
Has received recognition of his/her peers in the field of conservation.
Made noteworthy accomplishments in fields other than conservation.
Possesses impeccable character.
Completed nominations will be judged by the GACD Executive Committee. It is not mandatory that the Executive Committee select an honoree each year.
Honorees selected are inducted during the Hall of Fame Dinner at the GACD Annual Meeting. The honoree is presented with a plaque recognizing his/her induction. Honorees’ names will be added to the permanent GACD Hall of Fame plaque, which shall be placed at the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission State Office in Athens.
2023
2022 Tom Mims
2021 Alan Toney
2018 Fox McCarthy, Woody Snell
2017 Roger Bowman, Dan Bennett
2016 Sewell Blackstock, Danny Hogan, Larry Eley
2015 Dell MacGregor, Dennis Brown
2014 Steve Singletary, Carl Brack, Leonard W. Ridings
2013 George Hillsman
2012 Dorothy "Mable" Brown, John Woodard, John Redding
2011 Jack Hufstetler
2010 J.M. "Bob" Plemons, James W. Dobson
2009 Jeanette Jamieson, Connie Wiggins, James Dobson
2008 W. David Bennett, Edsel Nix, Barbarianne Gaulding Russell
2007 Pete Fulcher, Ralph Harrington, H. Joe Nichols
2006 E.H. Reid, Rozier Wingate, Ed Zipperer
2005 Ralph Balkcom, Horace “Pete” Waller
2004 Ben Overstreet, Garland Thompson
2003 Roy J. Chappell, K.A. Veal
2002 William Franklin Hall, J. Frank Murrah, John Rigdon,
C.M. Stripling, Jack Tuttle, David Firor, A.B.C. Dorminy Jr.
2001 Roger O. Bowman Sr., Rudolph Clark, George W. Darden Jr.,
Jim L. Gillis Jr., Joe K. Hawkins, George C. Martin, Walter F. Schroer,
Robert Tisinger, Frank B. Williams Jr., J.C. Wise Jr.
DISTRICT OF THE YEAR
The District of the Year award was established by GACD and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2001 to recognize the conservation district in Georgia which best plans, implements, and reports a conservation program in a given year. Nominations are due December 31, 2023.
2022 Gwinnett County Conservation District
2021 Broad River Conservation District
2020 Awards deferred to 2021 due to COVID.
SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
In appreciation of supervisors' commitment to the protection of Georgia's natural resources, GACD presents a Supervisor of the Year award at the Annual Meeting. The award recognizes exemplary achievements, leadership, and service to GACD, NACD, and local communities. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2023.
2022 Tracy Grice, Coosa River Conservation District
2021 Mark Masters, Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District
2020 Awards deferred to 2021 due to COVID.
SUPERIOR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AWARD
The Superior Professional Support award is given annually to a conservation professional working in Georgia. The objective of the award is to recognize the nominee's professional contributions in soil and water conservation. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2023.
2020
Awards deffered to 2021 due to COVID.
URBAN Conservationist of the year
GACD would like to recognize a conservationist, farmer, landowner, educator or community member conducting exemplary conservation work on their land and/or in their community. The Urban Conservationist of the Year winner will have demonstrated a strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their natural resource stewardship, outreach, community interactions, and/or education in an urban setting. Only one nominee per Conservation District can be submitted. Recipients will be honored at the GACD Annual Meeting. They will be given a one night stay at the meeting as well as tickets to the awards dinner.
The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2023.
Conservationist of the year
GACD would like to recognize farmers and/or landowners that are conducting exemplary conservation work on their land and have demonstrated a strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their land stewardship, outreach and community interactions, and/or education. Past and present District Conservationist of the Year recipients are eligible. Only one nominee per Conservation District can be submitted. Recipients will be honored at the 2024 GACD Annual Meeting. They will be given a one night stay at the meeting as well as tickets to the awards dinner.
Nominations are closed. Click here for nomination guidelines.
2023 Jon Jackson, Baldwin County
2022 Brian Ponder, Tift County
Service pins
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts has been lucky to have a number of individuals willing to make long-term commitments as District Supervisors on the boards of their local Conservation Districts. We appreciate the tireless efforts made by District Supervisors in conserving, protecting, and improving the natural resources in their local areas. These awards are given each year based on the length of time a Supervisor has served. Pins are given based on 10 year increments of service.