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Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Award of the SWCS-National Capital Chapter
Background
Norm Berg served as Chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service from September 1979 to April 1982. Berg continued to volunteer as a national liaison for SWCS and is an active member of the National Capital Chapter until his passing on March 18, 2008. He was the only Chief to receive the Chief Emeritus Award from NRCS in 1998. Norm Berg was a tireless advocate for resource conservation, especially on private lands, for his entire life. Among the many ways he advocated for conservation were as a mentor, a communicator, and a convener. He was an inspiration to many.
Criteria
The Norman A. Berg award is designed to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. The nominee's service and accomplishments shall have made major and widely recognized contributions to the development of leading-edge technologies that serve the conservation of natural resources at any geographic level, while working in the Washington, D.C. area. These accomplishments shall be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Society.
A nominee's outstanding accomplishments must be widely recognized by leaders in soil and water conservation and/or related fields. The nominee's influence or position should have materially stimulated interest in and advanced the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources through one or more of the following fields: author, speaker, educator, administrator, industry, business, banking, soil conservationist, profession (lawyer, doctor, minister, etc.), and nonpartisan political activity. The nominee's activity should have more of a voluntary or extraordinary nature and not just be part of his or her normal working duties.
Selection shall be made on the basis of demonstrated leadership, creativity, and dedication, while working with individuals, communities, or units of government, resulting in improved awareness and positive actions toward the protection of natural resources in our living environment. An award committee may review and rank nominations, but chapter officers will make final selections. No elected officer of the National Capital Chapter shall be eligible for the award while holding office. Society members and nonmembers are eligible.
2003 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee Dr. David Schertz
2004 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee Dan Durett
2006 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee R. Neil Sampson
2008 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee(s) Lawrence E. Clark & Thomas W. Simpson
2009 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee Carole Jett
2010 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee Harry Slawter
2015 Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Awardee Roberta Parry
International SWCS Awards to National Capital Chapter and its Nominees
The awards program of the Soil and Water Conservation Society is designed to recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. Awards to individuals and organizations include: the Fellow Award, the Outstanding Service Award, the Commendation Award, the Conservation Research Award, the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the Harold-Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation Award, the Honor Award, and the Merit Award. A summary of SWCS awards and links to nomination forms can be found here.
The Soil and Water Conservation Society also gives out the following awards to individual chapters: The Outstanding Chapter Award, the Chapter Achievement Award, the Sustained Performance Award, and the Professional Development Award. SWCS annual chapter awards and links to nomination forms can be found here.