Florida Agencies Recognize 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recognized three exceptional land managers as the 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year.  

Selected from the DEP’s Florida Park Service, FDACS’ Florida Forest Service and FWC, this year’s honorees reflect the leadership, innovation and public service that position Florida as a national model for natural resource management. Their work exemplifies how Florida’s resource managers combine expertise, innovation and dedication to protect our lands and wildlife while setting the standard for conservation nationwide. 

A recognized leader in prescribed fire management, Wilbur has served as burn boss for 63 prescribed burns totaling 5,964 acres since becoming a certified prescribed burn manager in 2011. Over the course of her career, she has participated in 198 prescribed burns covering more than 21,000 acres, as well as seven wildfire responses. 

Her experience also includes invasive species management, cultural resource protection and hydrological restoration, supporting the long-term ecological health of Wakulla Springs and surrounding lands. 

Since arriving at the Waccasassa Forestry Center in 2004, his leadership has more than doubled the number of breeding pairs of red-cockaded woodpeckers at Goethe State Forest, increasing from approximately 30 to 40 pairs to more than 80. The species was officially downlisted from federally endangered to threatened in fall 2024. 

“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.” 

Pedersen has also played a key role in protecting the federally listed Etoniah rosemary plant. When his work began, only a single small population remained. Today, three thriving subpopulations exist, with a fourth being established on private land. 

In addition to traditional resource management, Pedersen has embraced new technology to strengthen conservation outcomes. In 2024, he earned his drone pilot license and is one of the Florida Forest Service’s few certified drone pilots, supporting monitoring and planning efforts statewide. 

“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.”    

Koenig focuses on maintaining high-quality natural communities that support native species. He and his team manage diverse habitats, including upland pine forest, sandhill and depression marsh. Since 2016, prescribed fire has been his primary management tool, benefiting species such as Bachman’s sparrows, bald eagles and gopher tortoises. Koenig ensures burns achieve the desired habitat conditions while prioritizing safety and minimizing impacts to nearby communities. 

From leading his team on storm-related clean-up efforts during the 2024 hurricane season to protecting a federally designated endangered plant found in only a few locations, Koenig embraces the challenges of managing multiple wildlife and environmental areas in the wildland-urban interface. His leadership ensures these public lands continue to support wildlife and remain accessible to the public. 

The Resource Manager of the Year Award is named in honor of James A. Stevenson, whose career with the Florida Park Service and DEP’s Division of State Lands helped shape modern conservation in Florida through leadership in ecosystem management, prescribed fire, nonnative plant control and springs protection.