Press Release

Virginia DWR’s Rebecca Gwynn Wins Wildlife Management Excellence Awards

Richmond, VA — The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is delighted to announce that Rebecca (Becky) Gwynn and the DWR Hampton Roads Seabird Conservation Initiative Team has received the Wildlife Society’s Wildlife Management Excellence Award. This award was presented at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) annual meeting held in Roanoke, VA last week. The conservation efforts which Becky led saved Virginia’s largest, and only stable, seabird colony. The species of conservation concern include the Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common tern, Black Skimmer, Gull-billed Tern, and Laughing Gull.

In 2019, the seabird colony habitat was set to be displaced when the South Island of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was needed for the tunnel’s expansion.  Under the direction of Governor Ralph Northam, Becky and the DWR team realized they had to create a new habitat for this colony and only had 3 months to do it, all before nesting season—not to mention, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of DWR Executive Director Ryan Brown, the DWR Board, and numerous other partners, the DWR team was able to preserve the northernmost stronghold of the Royal and Sandwich terns and the only seabird colony in Virginia that is not declining.  The habitat work included a modification of Fort Wool (Rip Raps Island) and staging of additional sand-topped barges between Fort Wool and South Island.  This effort was repeated this past spring, and the seabird colony is thriving.

Becky continues to work tirelessly for the construction of the final solution of this project, which will be a dedicated bird conservation island in the Hampton Roads ecosystem. When that is completed, it will conserve the largest and most productive seabird colony in the Commonwealth.

“The Hampton Roads Seabird Conservation Initiative was a first-of-its-kind project on the east coast, and is now known nationally for its tremendous success,” said Ryan Brown, Executive Director of DWR.  “This miraculous accomplishment by Becky and the rest of the DWR team has been a tremendous victory for our wildlife, and a testament to the dedication of DWR staff and our partners.”

Early in 2021, Becky played a leading role in the creation of a groundbreaking regulation that protects migratory birds from accidental killing, harm, and habitat disturbance due to industrial, commercial and construction projects. Now adopted by the Board of DWR, this regulation was among the first of its kind nationally, and now serves as a model.

In addition to this prestigious award, Becky also received the prominent Robert McDowell Award at the Northeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA) Annual Meeting in April, 2021.  The Robert McDowell Award was established by the Directors of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to honor career professionals who have made significant contributions to advance fish and wildlife conservation in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canadian Provinces.

This award is the highest honor presented by the Association. It is presented to an individual who meets the following criteria:

• Has a long-term commitment to fish and wildlife resources and the stewardship of those resources;
• Has made outstanding achievements on behalf of those resources as well as in the field of fish and wildlife management;
• Has fostered a vision for the future preservation, conservation and use of those resources and an ability to affect change toward that vision;
• Who nurtures and supports future generations of natural resource managers through innovative information, education, and outreach; and
• Who has an affiliation of some with the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

“Over a span of the past three decades, Becky has personified commitment to the wildlife resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the regions beyond.  In addition to her leadership and mentoring of wildlife professionals around her, Becky’s career represents a true highlight reel of many great conservation achievements, resulting from her never-ending desire to go above and beyond what the moment calls for to see a goal reached.  Her efforts have led the Department of Wildlife Resources to many accomplishments that are noteworthy across the wildlife profession.  Though not one to call attention to herself, Becky is a true giant of conservation and is most deserving of this recognition,” says Ryan Brown.

Becky works tirelessly with other agencies, organizations and the general public to ensure the Commonwealth and its wildlife are healthy for generations to come. Congratulations to Becky, and the Department for their successes!