MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Nov. 9, 2026 – Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida Executive Director Nick Wiley was given the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’s (NAWMP) National Blue-winged Teal Award at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, in late October.
The NAWMP National Blue-winged Teal Award (formerly known as the National Great Blue Heron Award) honors individuals, partnerships or organizations for significant, tangible contributions to waterfowl, wetland-associated migratory birds and wetland habitats at the national, regional or local level.
To qualify for the award, the recipients' activities at the national or regional level must result in substantial benefits to waterfowl, other wetland-associated migratory bird populations or wetland habitats at the national scale, through one-time, periodic or ongoing efforts.
Before joining the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida as executive director, Nick served as Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) chief conservation officer and then chief operating officer from January 2018 to April 2026.
“Nick Wiley has spent his career bringing people together to achieve lasting conservation results," said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “Whether serving the citizens of Florida, leading conservation efforts at DU, or continuing his work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Nick has consistently demonstrated the vision and commitment necessary to conserve the habitats that sustain waterfowl and countless other species. We congratulate him on receiving the National Blue-winged Teal Award and thank him for a lifetime of conservation leadership.”
Prior to his work with DU, Wiley spent 30 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), where he served in several roles, beginning as a field wildlife biologist and ending with eight years as executive director.
He received the FWCC’s Conservation Leadership Award in 2017.
Wiley is a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, past president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club, Board member and past Chairman and member of the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, and Board member for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
He is a certified wildlife biologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Auburn University. He serves on Dean’s Advisory Councils for Auburn and Georgia Southern Universities. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and boating with family and friends.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this recognition," Wiley said. "As everyone in the waterfowl conservation community knows, conservation is never about any one individual. The true magic of meaningful conservation accomplishments happens when we come together, working as a team and as a conservation family toward a shared purpose. This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of countless conservation professionals, partners, and volunteers, as well as the generous financial support of individuals, organizations and companies who believe in the importance of fish and wildlife conservation. I will always be especially grateful to my colleagues at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Ducks Unlimited and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida for their trust, friendship and support along the way. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many outstanding people who share a passion for conservation and a commitment to making a lasting difference.”
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Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
