Kerry Wixted is an accomplished biologist and an amazing educator whose impact has been felt across the state as well as here at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, where she has led many field trips and given presentations. 



In her previous position at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, her work included providing updated information on rare plant locations. She was one of the founding instructors for the Maryland Master Naturalist Program, was an instructor for Becoming an Outdoors Woman, and taught Project WILD, Growing Up WILD and Flying WILD to promote conservation knowledge to educators. This included training all available Head Start staff in Maryland in Growing Up WILD to reach underserved youth through a grant that she received. In 2018, Kerry was invited to teach Project WILD in Japan at the invitation and sponsorship of the Japan Parks and Recreation Foundation. She was also named Project WILD Coordinator of the Year in 2016. Kerry is active in the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education and received the Robert Finton Outdoor Educator of the Year Award from that organization in 2020. 

Many state residents have come to know Kerry through one of her informative, entertaining, and creative presentations or trainings, where she has reached new and diverse audiences within Maryland and increased conservation ethics and stewardship within local communities. Yes, she can even make people like some of our more misunderstood wildlife, like spiders! 

Kerry is active in the Maryland Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Maryland Natural History Society, and she volunteers with Project Owlnet to document migrating Saw-whet Owls. Kerry currently works for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, where she is the Amphibian & Reptile and Invasive Species Program Manager. In this role, she provides communication, coordination, networking opportunities, and training for state wildlife staff and partners, including serving as the state coordinator for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and supporting the work of the National Invasive Species Council. Be sure to check out Kerry’s webpage (kerrysnature.org) to learn more about our award recipient and for upcoming opportunities to see her in action!