The Suzanne L. and Joseph T. Collins Award for Excellence in Kansas Herpetology Grant

The Suzanne L. and Joseph T. Collins Award for Excellence in Kansas Herpetology recognizes outstanding contributions to the study and conservation of native amphibians, turtles, and reptiles in Kansas. Established in 1997, it honors the achievements of Suzanne L. and Joseph T. Collins. The award is bestowed biennially for academic excellence in publishing or presenting research, and annually for excellence in photography. With a minimum award of $1000, it is the largest state award in Kansas for biological and conservation efforts.

The Suzanne L. and Joseph T. Collins Award for Excellence in Kansas Herpetology
General Conditions of The Collins Award
Because of a substantial seed grant from Westar Energy, Topeka, Kansas, this Award was established by the Board of Directors of The Center for North American Herpetology (CNAH) in 1997 as a trust in perpetuity in recognition of the scientific and photographic achievements of Suzanne L. Collins and Joseph T. Collins, whose life-long study and conservation of the native amphibians, turtles, and reptiles of Kansas is amply demonstrated in their extensive and excellent writings and photography, both academic and popular, about these animals.
The Award shall be known as the Suzanne L. and Joseph T. Collins Award for Excellence in Kansas Herpetology
Specifications of The Collins Award
In even-numbered years, The Collins Award shall be bestowed upon an individual who, in the preceding two calendar years, accomplished the following: Had published a paper of academic excellence on the systematics, ecology, or conservation of a native species of Kansas amphibian(s), turtles(s), and/or reptile(s) in the Journal of Kansas Herpetology, Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, Herpetological Review, or the Journal of Herpetology, and/or presented a lecture of excellence on the systematics, ecology, or conservation of a native species of Kansas amphibian(s), turtle(s) and/or reptile(s) on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society. To qualify for the Collins Award, a portion of the field work or observations must have occurred in Kansas, or the systematic data must have been based in part on Kansas specimens.
In odd-numbered years, the Collins Award shall be bestowed upon an individual who has accomplished the following:
Was chosen the best in a juried competition featuring the art of photography in portraying amphibians, turtles, and/or reptiles, said competition to take place under the auspices and on the occasion of the November annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society. .
The award is minimally $1000.00, making it the largest annual state award for any biological, wildlife, or conservation organization in Kansas. It is also the largest national award given annually for research on or photography of amphibians, turtles, and reptiles.

Eligibility

To receive The Collins Award, the recipient must be present at the annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society.In even-numbered years, The Collins Award shall be bestowed upon an individual who, in the preceding two calendar years, accomplished the following:Had published a paper of academic excellence on the systematics, ecology, or conservation of a native species of Kansas amphibian(s), turtles(s), and/or reptile(s) in the Journal of Kansas Herpetology, Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, Herpetological Review, or the Journal of Herpetology, and/or presented a lecture of excellence on the systematics, ecology, or conservation of a native species of Kansas amphibian(s), turtle(s) and/or reptile(s) on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society. To qualify for The Collins Award, a portion of the field work or observations must have occurred in Kansas, or the systematic data must have been based in part on Kansas specimens.In odd-numbered years, The Collins Award shall be bestowed upon an individual who accomplished the following:Was chosen the best in a juried competition featuring the art of photography in portraying amphibians, turtles, and/or reptiles, said competition to take place under the auspices and on the occasion of the November annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society. To qualify for The Collins Award, the art work must portray species native to Kansas.