Today, three Florida state agencies recognized the 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year, honoring professionals from the Florida Park Service, Florida Forest Service, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for their achievements in natural resource management.
Patricia “Patty” Wilbur, Biological Scientist II at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, was recognized for over two decades of service focused on habitat restoration and fire management. In 2018, she led a large upland pine restoration project that restored 1,005 acres of flatwoods habitat. Wilbur has also overseen prescribed burns as burn boss for nearly 6,000 acres since becoming certified in 2011 and participated in wildfire responses and invasive species management.
Charlie Pedersen, Biologist III at Waccasassa Forestry Center with the Florida Forest Service, was acknowledged for his work across more than a dozen state forests. Since joining Waccasassa in 2004, he helped increase breeding pairs of red-cockaded woodpeckers at Goethe State Forest from about 30–40 to over 80 pairs. The species was reclassified from endangered to threatened status in fall 2024. Pedersen also contributed to expanding populations of the Etoniah rosemary plant and became one of the agency’s certified drone pilots to support conservation planning statewide.
“Charlie Pedersen is exactly the kind of professional the Florida Forest Service is built on. He delivers results by combining decades of experience in the field with a willingness to use new tools and technology to do the job better,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “From improving forest conditions to supporting the recovery of key species, Charlie’s work at the Waccasassa Forestry Center reflects our focus on practical, science-based forestry that keeps Florida’s forests healthy, productive, and well managed.”
Matthew Koenig from FWC serves as lead area biologist for several wildlife and environmental areas including Chinsegut. His responsibilities include managing habitats such as upland pine forest and sandhill using prescribed fire since 2016—a method benefiting species like Bachman’s sparrows and gopher tortoises—and coordinating hurricane clean-up efforts during the 2024 season.
“Matt is the perfect choice for winning this honorable award,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “His expertise, dedication, and leadership have all been instrumental to the significant improvements made to wildlife habitat in the WEAs he manages — no small feat considering the challenges of managing three different public lands. We’re very lucky to have him both as part of the FWC team and as a strong steward of Florida’s natural resources.”
The award honors James A. Stevenson for his contributions shaping modern conservation practices within DEP’s Division of State Lands through leadership in ecosystem management initiatives.
