Powers Receives Alabama Conservationist Award
Posted on August 5, 2025
Dr. Sean Powers, professor and chair of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the 海角淫母乱伦, has been named Alabama鈥檚 Fisheries Conservationist of the year. Powers received the honor at the Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor鈥檚 Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony last week.
The awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of our wildlife and related natural resources, the natural elements upon which all life depends.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a special honor for your contributions to be recognized, but this award should equally reflect the 海角淫母乱伦 for its investment in marine and environmental sciences,鈥� Powers said.
Powers, a member of the South faculty for 23 years, has published over 170 scientific articles and received more than $50 million in extramural funding support.
Under his leadership, the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences has grown from 48 graduate students to 350 undergraduate and graduate students over the last five years.
Powers was nominated for the award by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship.
鈥淒r. Powers is the preeminent fisheries scientist in our state and really is a national leader in marine fisheries research and management recommendations,鈥� said Blankenship.
The purpose of the Governor鈥檚 Conservation Achievement Awards program is to promote leadership by example and in turn increase conservation of the natural resources of the State of Alabama 鈥� its wildlife, forests, soils, water and air.
Fourteen separate categories of conservation are recognized. The fisheries conservationist of the year is given to the individual or organization whose outstanding fisheries conservation effort demonstrates commitment and leadership.
Powers credits South鈥檚 partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a major reason why Alabama is now a national leader in conservation.
鈥淚 have been very fortunate to be at the best place at the best time,鈥� he said.
