The George & Barbara Fell Award
The award is named for George and Barbara Fell who founded the Natural Land Institute in 1958 and devoted their lives to the protection of natural areas in Illinois. They were committed to protecting Illinois’ natural heritage so rare and endangered plant and animal species would be here for future generations.
The 2026 Nomination Process is now open through Jan. 19, 2026.
Fill out the online nomination form here.
The 2026 recipient of the George and Barbara Fell Award will be recognized at Natural Land Institute’s Annual Dinner on Thu., March 19, 2026 held at The Radisson, 200 S. Bell School Rd., Rockford, IL Social Hour: 5:30 p.m., Dinner: 6:30 p.m., Program: 7:15 p.m. Find out more information and make reservations here.
Nomination forms may be emailed or mailed to you or picked up in the NLI office at 320 S. Third St., Rockford, IL 61104. To request a form and for questions contact Kim at kjohnsen@naturalland.org, or call: 815/964-6666.
The George and Barbara Fell Award recognizes…
- Accomplishments that have significantly advanced natural area preservation, protection, management and restoration in northern Illinois.
- Work in any area of activity (natural resource management, education, journalism, law, science) applied to stewardship of natural areas, restoration of natural areas, and the protection and understanding of natural diversity.
- The best qualities of land conservationists, the qualities exemplified by George and Barbara Fell through their lifelong dedication to the protection of natural areas.
This is an opportunity to give recognition to an individual who has demonstrated distinguished achievement during an entire career or a volunteer who has embodied the values and commitment of the Fells.
Past recipients of the George and Barbara Fell Award
- 2025 – Ed Collins (Harvard, Illinois)
- 2024 – Dan Kane (Clinton, Wisconsin)
- 2023 – Kerry Leigh (Oakwood Hills, Illinois)
- 2021 – Fran Harty (Monticello, Illinois)
- 2020 – Don Miller (Rockford, Illinois)
- 2019 – Steve and June Keibler (Dundee, Illinois)
- 2018 – Debra Carey (Dixon, Illinois)
- 2017 – George and Marilyn Johnson (Madison, Wisconsin)
- 2016 – John White (Urbana, Illinois)
- 2015 – Randy Nyboer (Morrison, Illinois)
- 2014 – Dave and Nancy Voss (Rockford, Illinois)
- 2013 – Jerry Paulson (Caledonia, Illinois)
- 2012 – Judith (Judy) McCleary (Roscoe, Illinois)
- 2011 – Richard and Karen Gadke (Capron, Illinois)
- 2010 – Nancy Hamill Winter (Stockton, Illinois)
- 2009 – William Howenstine (McHenry, Illinois)
- 2008 – Russell Johansson (Rockford, Illinois)
- 2007 – Dr. Richard Newsome (Beloit, Wisconsin)
- 2006 – Lee Johnson (Shirland, Illinois)
- 2004 – Mark Keister (Winslow, Illinois)
- 2003 – Tim Keller (Sterling, Illinois)
- 2002 – Mary B. Bushnell (Stillman Valley, Illinois)
- 2001 – Jack and Joyce Armstrong (Rockford, Illinois)
- 2000 – Keith and Mary Blackmore (Forreston, Illinois)
- 1999 – Bruce Ross-Shannon (Rockford, Illinois)
- 1998 – Dorothy Wade (Oregon, Illinois)
- 1997 – Barbara Fell (Rockford, Illinois)