Lifetime Achievement Awards

AFE strives to honor career achievement in fire ecology and management by recognizing the pioneers and early advocates in our field. The Biswell, Stoddard, and Wright Lifetime Achievement Awards are recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to fire ecology and management, and who have inspired and mentored a generation of fire ecologists. Their contributions may be in research, management, teaching, service, outreach, or a combination of these areas.

Nominations are accepted annually for the Biswell, Stoddard, or Wright Lifetime Achievement Award. The AFE Awards Committee will recommend one award winner each year for final approval by the AFE Board of Directors and has the discretion to recommend more than one lifetime achievement award in any given year.

Lifetime Achievement Awards are given in three categories: 

Biswell Award

Awarded to individuals who primarily work in ecosystems found in  western United States or in similar ecosystems internationally. This award is named after Harold Biswell, longtime faculty member at the University of California-Berkeley.

Stoddard Award

Awarded to individuals who primarily work in ecosystems found in the eastern United States or in similar ecosystems internationally. This award is named after the long-time prescribed fire advocate for longleaf pine management Herbert Stoddard, Sr.

Wright Award

For those who primarily work in grasslands and shrublands in the United States and internationally. This award is named after Henry Wright of Texas Tech University.

Note: The Awards Committee is currently working on revisions to the AFE Awards Program, and we will not be accepting nominations or giving awards in 2024. We look forward to sharing a new and improved set of awards with you in early 2025, along with the nomination instructions. If you have any feedback for us to consider as we revise the program, please contact us. Thank you!