Award Nominations must be received by registration deadline to be considered.

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AWARDS CEREMONY Takes place on Thursday evening of each session. 
We ask that you wear your uniform or business attire to the awards ceremony.  Awards are presented annually following the guest speaker's address on Thursday evening.

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ROBERT E. LEATHERS MEMORIAL AWARD OF APPRECIATION
This award is presented to a person in/outside of our field who donates his or her time and efforts to the betterment and furtherance of our field in its professional endeavors. The determining factor shall solely be the excellence of the achievement or contribution made by the nominee.

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WILLIAM "BILL" CRAVENS MEMORIAL MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
This award is presented to a person working in the field who (1) exemplifies the type of character and moral leadership sought after in the performance of his/her duties in representing our profession on a day-to-day basis (i.e. number of service years at agency or institute, volunteer or community service efforts, etc.) or (2) a person who displays some exceptional or unusual act of service above and beyond the call of duty (i.e., lifesaving rescue, thwarting of a major crime, aiding a citizen in distress, etc.).

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RANGER OF THE YEAR
This individual should exemplify all the personal and professional traits necessary to carry out their duties in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Examples could include, but are not limited to work production, arrests/citations, voluntary overtime, program development, community relation efforts, education efforts with school groups, scouts, disadvantaged youth, elderly, etc. Any justifiable reason that can be documented will be considered.

 

THE LEPRECHAUN AWARD
Awarded to an individual who shows outstanding achievement above and beyond their normal duties during the past year, also given to runner-up in major award categories. In memory of Dave Cox. 

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SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an individual in a supervisory position, who by their actions supports and enhances the performance of their staff and the image of this profession.

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AWARDS NOMINATION FORM
Be sure to nominate the individuals you feel should receive each award. The individual does not need to be present. These awards depend on your participation for their success. Be sure to fill out the awards nomination form. For a .pdf form, please click the link below. Fill in the highlighted (blue) fields and save the completed form to your desktop. When finished, e-mail the saved form as an e-mail attachment to John Byrd: jrbyrdsenior@gmail.com

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Professional Ranger Certificate Program

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THE PROGRAM

Our program is tailored to the individual needs of each participant and his/her agency using a selection of required, core and elective courses in their area of need or interest.

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ELIGIBILITY

The Professional Ranger Certificate Program is open to all park personnel who have been employed for a minimum of five years in the profession. For a downloadable .pdf version of the criteria and application necessary to obtain a professional ranger certificate, please click below.