Mike Zlotnicki, former News & Observer outdoor editor, recently received the Fred A. Harris Fisheries Conservation Award presented by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society during its annual meeting held in Asheville on Feb. 26-28.
The award is presented by the chapter to deserving individuals in North Carolina who have distinguished themselves by service or commitment to the fisheries and wildlife resources of the state.
The award is named after former North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Executive Director and Inland Fisheries Chief Fred Harris, who over his career provided leadership and promoted sound science in decision-making on fishery and wildlife conservation issues in the state.
Zlotnicki was recognized for his dedicated outreach efforts to educate the general public on conservation issues in North Carolina. He has authored numerous newspaper articles on wildlife and fisheries conservation in past years through his weekly “Carolina Outdoors” section published in the Raleigh News and Observer. Over his career as an outdoor columnist, Zlotnicki has identified and helped champion conservation issues across the state.
The North Carolina AFS Chapter also recognized his long-standing positive and wide-spread promotion of fishery management efforts in the state, which have helped elevate the awareness of important environmental issues.
Zlotnicki’s tireless efforts to promote fisheries and wildlife conservation while educating the public have not gone unnoticed by his peers. In 2004, he was given the prestigious “Excellence in Craft” award by the Outdoor Writers Association of America in the Newspaper Outdoor Section contest. He followed this award up with an honorable mention award in 2005 for the same honor.
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