CHS Awards

The CHS recognizes the work of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to herpetofaunal research and conservation in Canada through the presentation of annual awards. The Society is also supportive of the work of undergraduate and graduate students and encourages student participation in the annual conference through travel bursaries and presentation awards.

Competitive Student Presentation Awards

An award for the best student platform and poster presentations is presented shortly after the annual meeting.

Silver Salamander Award

The Silver Salamander Award is presented to an individual or an organization in recognition of a specific contribution to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Canada.

Blue Racer Award

The Blue Racer Award is presented to an individual in recognition of cumulative contributions to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles Canada. A maximum of one Blue Racer Award will be given out each year. A nomination form for the Blue Racer Award can be downloaded here.

Michael Rankin Distinguished Canadian Herpetologist Award

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of life-time achievement in the study of amphibians and reptiles in Canada. A maximum of one Michael Rankin Award will be given out each year.

E.B.S. Logier Communications Award

The E.B.S. Logier Communications Award is presented to an individual or organization in recognition of a significant contribution to the conservation of, or research on, amphibians and reptiles in Canada through hard-copy, digital or other means of text-based or visual communication.

Francis R. Cook Mentorship Award

The Francis R. Cook Mentorship award is presented to an individual in recognition of their significant contributions to the encouragement and support of the next generation of herpetologists in Canada.

Award Nomination and Selection

To nominate someone for a CHS award, please fill out this nomination form and submit it to the CHS awards committee via info@canadianherpetology.ca. Anyone may be nominated for a CHS recognition award; the nominee does not need not be a CHS member to be eligible.

Students interested in being entered into the running for the competitive student presentation awards should select that option when submitting their abstract. The presentations are scored at the AGM and the recipients are recommended to the CHS Board of Directors by the CHS Awards Committee. For all other awards, any member of CHS may nominate a potential recipient by submitting the name of the individual or organization, along with justification, to the chair of the awards committee. Recipients will be recommended to the CHS Board by the awards committee.

Annually, no more than two Silver Salamander Awards, and no more than a single Blue Racer or Michael Rankin award may be presented. Although awards may be presented annually, the CHS awards committee and board reserve the right not to present awards should there be no suitable candidates.

Awards Ceremony

All awards, except the Competitive Student Presentation Awards, will be presented during the CHS Annual Meeting. The winners of the Competitive Student Presentation Awards will be announced shortly after the weekend of the CHS Annual Meeting.