In 2024, the Washington Invasive Species Council established three annual awards to recognize individuals and organizations devoted to invasive species. The annual awards cycle begins on the day of the March council meeting and closes at 11:59 p.m. September 15. All nominations must be submitted using this form. Nominated individuals and organizations may be at the federal, state, tribal, or local level. Out-of-state nominees are welcome; however, their work must positively impact lands in Washington. Please direct questions to invasivespeciesinfo@rco.wa.gov.
Distinguished Leader Award
Recognizes a person who displays outstanding leadership, direction, advocacy, and support to invasive species policy, prevention, or management.
Valiant Volunteer Award
Recognizes a person going above and beyond to prevent, contain, or manage invasive species in Washington. The volunteer’s efforts help protect Washington’s economy and natural and cultural resources from damaging invasive species.
Outstanding Organization Award
Recognizes an organization, program, and/or staff that demonstrate invasive species prevention and management through cooperation, communication, and coordinated action.
2024 Award Winners
Distinguished Leader Award
The 2024 Distinguished Leader Award was awarded to State Representative Mary Dye, who received two separate nominations. Mary has been a long-time state and regional leader in preventing and addressing aquatic invasive species. She recently led efforts to secure an unprecedented $3.6 million, half federal and half state, to assist with zebra and quagga mussel monitoring and prevention. In addition, Mary led an effort through the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region to call on both state governors and congressional members to increase support for aquatic invasive species prevention and management. This resulted in a letter signed by more than twenty state representatives from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. Mary’s continued commitment and advocacy to invasive species has played a significant role in protecting Washington from the environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of aquatic invasive species.
Valiant Volunteer Award
The 2024 Valiant Volunteer Award was awarded to Evan Hiatt from Friday Harbor! In February of this year, seventeen year-old Evan caught a northern pike in a lake on San Juan Island. He notified his parents of this catch as well as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The northern pike is a prohibited aquatic invasive species and poses a significant threat to the island’s fish populations. The council is very thankful to Evan for his awareness and swift action. The report triggered a rapid response from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The response is ongoing, as the agency works to prevent the pike’s spread and protect aquatic life in the lake and on the island.
Outstanding Organization Award
The 2024 Outstanding Organization Award was awarded to 10,000 Years Institute and Jill Silver! The institute has worked tirelessly to protect native life on the Olympic Peninsula from knotweeds, reed canarygrass, and Scotch broom. This hard work is often done with skeleton crews because of state budget cuts. The nominator noted that Jill’s work is truly making a difference on the peninsula. The improvements continue to protect fish and other wildlife habitat from the damaging effects of noxious weed infestation.