BATON ROUGE – Kisatchie National Forest Supervisor Lisa Lewis of Pineville has been named the 2022 Professional Conservationist of the Year by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Lewis was recognized for her significant achievements in natural resources conservation at the 57th State Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet, held in Baton Rouge on Friday, June 9.
Lewis was recognized for her actions after Hurricane Laura in helping to begin the restoration of the longleaf ecosystem in the most heavily damaged area of the Kisatchie National Forest. By bringing together a diverse team consisting of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, The Nature Conservancy, and the USDA Forest Service, Lewis launched the Kisatchie Longleaf Savanna Restoration Project.
In 2021 and 2022, the project successfully carried out prescribed burns across several thousand acres, accompanied by the planting of native longleaf pine on an equivalent land area. These controlled burns were strategically executed to promote the growth of native plants, including hydrophilic species, within this unique pine savanna landscape. Notably, the project received recognition as the Outstanding 2022 Project for the USDA Forest Service’s subregional area, which encompasses the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Rebecca Triche, Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, commended Lewis’s exceptional leadership and contributions, stating, “The conservation efforts of Lisa Lewis were instrumental in beginning the restoration of the longleaf ecosystem within Kisatchie National Forest after several storms riped through Southwest Louisiana. Her collaborative approach and successful implementation of the Kisatchie Longleaf Savanna Restoration Project demonstrate her dedication to protecting and enhancing Louisiana’s natural resources and will help ensure this natural resource is enjoyed by others for generations to come.”
The Professional Conservationist of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions, in a compensated professional capacity, to the management, enhancement, or protection of Louisiana’s fish, wildlife, air, water, soil, forest resources, or related recreational opportunities.
Other recipients recognized at the ceremony include:
Charles Allen, Ph.D., of Pitkin – Conservationist of the Year
Jane Patterson of Ponchatoula – Volunteer Conservationist of the Year
John Dillon of Athens – Conservation Educator of the Year
Jerome “Zee” Zeringue of Houma – Elected Official Conservationist of the Year
Kelby Ouchley of Rocky Branch – Conservation Communicator of the Year
Acadiana Native Plant Project – Conservation Organization of the Year
These awards, represented by unique wildlife statuettes, were jointly presented by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. LWF also recognized the 2019 award recipients at the banquet. Winners from 2019 include:
Ryan Lambert, Volunteer Conservationist of the Year; Wendy Rihner, Conservation Educator of the Year; Giant Salvinia Control Patrol, Conservation Organization of the Year; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Archery in Louisiana Schools (ALAS) Program, Youth Conservation Organization of the Year; Eric Vanbergen, Youth Conservationist of the Year; Emma Reid, Conservation Communicator of the Year; and Edison Chouest Offshore, Corporate Conservationist of the Year.
Established in 1940, Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide nonprofit organization that represents 19 affiliate organizations and more than 8,000 members dedicated to the conservation of Louisiana’s wildlife and natural resources. Louisiana Wildlife Federation is an affiliate of National Wildlife Federation and together forms a powerful network for conservation locally and nationally.