The UTM Student Chapter of Wildlife Society and UTM alumnus, Jason Maxedon, recently won state awards for their work.

UTM's chapter won the Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Conservation Organization Award, the first student group ever to win the award. In 2005, the student chapter had about 50 members and participated in and hosted many events. Some of the events included a workshop for Northwest Tennessee rowcrop producers, producing the Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Blue Ribbon Pannel on West Tennessee waterfowl hunting, started a "Hunting 101" program that allowed members to join with inexperienced hunters to teach the basics of safety, and started a column in "West Tennessee Outdoors." Additionally, the chapter helped with Tennessee deer hunter check stations, worked with Tyson Foods to convert 30 acres to a native prairie demonstration area and helped recruit future wildlife students.

The student chapter also helped with community service relevant to their chapter by participating in the Northwest Tennessee Wild Game Cook-Off that benefited Tennessee Hunters for the Hungry, and collected deer brainstems for the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.

"We have had an exciting and eventful year. We feel very honored to receive such a prestigious award," says Drew Wirma, chapter president.

UTM alumnus Jason Maxedon was named as the 2006 Forest Conservationist. Maxedon graduated in 1997 from UTM with a B.S. in Natural Resources Management and now resides in Newbern. He is a TWRA regional employee.

Madexon and the chapter will receive the awards today in Nashville.