Tony Amos is the Director of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which promotes stewardship of our oceans by rescuing and releasing rehabilitated sea turtles and marine birds back to the wild. Credit: Theta Kenney, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Endangered Species Program recognizes outstanding employees on an annual basis through Recovery Champions Awards. Tony Amos, Director of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI), was one of two recipients for this prestigious award.
The Recovery Champion award highlights the contributions of Service personnel and partner organizations for the recovery of endangered and threatened species. This national recognition is awarded for efforts such as working to prevent species’ extinction, conserving and restoring habitat and resources critical to a species’ survival and recovery, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Nominations were solicited from Ecological Services, Refuges, Fisheries and partner groups, and were based on leadership competencies, length of time working on the issues, scope and significance of efforts, and measurable results.
Over the course of more than 30 years, Tony Amos has served as a major contributor to our knowledge of shorebirds, sea turtles, and manatees along the Central Texas coast. Mr. Amos compiled an incredible long-term data set of bird and sea turtle observations that has proven invaluable to the recovery efforts of many species. He has worked tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles and birds, including piping plovers, red knots, brown pelicans, and bald eagles. He is an outstanding spokesman for wildlife conservation in the Texas Coastal Bend region and his dedication to wildlife rescue has been an effective outreach and education resource for listed sea turtles and birds.
The award ceremony occurred today, Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute with a special presentation by Dr. Joy Nicolopolous, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Deputy Regional Director, Southwest Region.
Congratulations Tony!