Recognizing our Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of CNPA. As a completely volunteer-run organization, CNPA would not exist without members volunteering to serve as Board members, committee members, region coordinators, outing leaders and meeting presenters.

CNPA has three awards that recognize the contributions of volunteers — the Volunteer of the Year Award, the Doug Holstein Lifetime Achievement Award and the Spirit Award.

The Doug Holstein Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed as warranted and determined by the CNPA Board.

Nominations for the Volunteer of the Year Award and Spirit Award are accepted from members from Oct. 1-31 each year.

Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Form

Spirit Award Nomination Form

Volunteer of the Year Award

The CNPA Volunteer of the Year Award will recognize an outstanding volunteer who stands out for his or her contributions during the past year. Recognition can be for a single contribution or overall volunteerism for the year. Current members of the CNPA Board and the CNPA Awards Committee are not eligible.

Nominations will open in October. Any CNPA member in good standing can make a nomination. Self nominations will be accepted. Volunteer of the Year nominations must include a description of the nominee’s volunteer contributions to CNPA, how their contributions advance CNPA’s mission and an explanation of why the candidate should be considered.

Any CNPA member in good standing can make a nomination. Self-nominations will be accepted. Volunteer of the Year nominations must include a description of the nominee’s volunteer contributions to CNPA, how their contributions advance CNPA’s mission and an explanation of why the candidate should be considered.

The CNPA Awards Committee will review all nominations and make a recommendation to the CNPA Board.

Doug Holstein

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Doug Holstein Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained and exceptional service to CNPA. This prestigious award is named after the late Doug Holstein, who showed exceptional commitment and dedication to CNPA. Doug served as President during a pivotal time in the organization’s history.

This honor is bestowed as warranted. Current members of the Board are not eligible for consideration while in office.

CNPA Spirit Award

The CNPA Spirit Award will be given annually to a CNPA member who embodies the spirit and values of CNPA.

These values may be displayed in the following ways:

Participation in a variety of events and activities within CNPA
Recruitment of new members
Volunteerism within CNPA, officially and/or unofficially
Efforts to continuously improve members’ knowledge, skills and abilities in nature photography
Authenticity in actions and passion for CNPA
An affinity for helping others to become the best at nature photography they can be and the preservations of the ecosystems that we encounter and appreciate.

Any CNPA member in good standing may submit a nomination for a member they believe exhibits and embodies the true essence of the award throughout the year. Self-nomination is acceptable.

2025 Award Recipients

Vicki Wilson - Volunteer of the Year

Vicki is a long-time member of CNPA and was active with the Midlands and Charlotte Regions until she moved out of state several years ago. She served on the Board of Directors and is currently the Creative Director of Camera in the Wild. She has served in that position for more than 10 years. As creative director, Vicki plays a crucial role in the success of the magazine, which recently won several national honors from the Photographic Society of America (PSA).

Congratulations and thank you, Vicki!

Susan Bailey - Lifetime Achievement Award

Susan served as a region coordinator for three years and served on the CNPA board for eight years. She was the Annual Meeting chair from 2006 until 2012. She was responsible for the creation of CNPA Photo Weekends. The annual meeting initially had outings included, but attendees often had to choose whether to go to a presentation or an outing. Susan suggested splitting the two events, making the annual meetings an event with presentations by leading nature photographers and creating Photo Weekends devoted to photographing in host regions. The Annual meeting was moved to January or February to get better hotel rates and the photo weekends were scheduled for times when conditions were more favorable for photography. Susan served as Photo Weekend Chair from 2007 until about 2012.

Congratulations and thank you, Susan!

Mary Presson Roberts - Spirit Award

Mary is described as “one of the most supportive people I know” by the person who nominated her. Mary is always encouraging fellow photographers and possesses a positive attitude that is contagious. She participates in CNPA outings and has even given presentations at region meetings. Her nominator said, "whenever I see her at an event, I know it’s going to be a good one."

Thank you, Mary, and congratulations!

2023 Award Recipients

Edgar Payne - Lifetime Achievement Award

Edgar joined CNPA in 2005. He served as a regional coordinator for the Charlotte region for more than a decade. He was also a member of the CNPA board, from 2012 until 2021, serving as regions chair. Edgar has been a long-time enthusiastic ambassador for CNPA, passing out business cards and copies of Camera in the Wild to every non-member he encounters.

Congratulations and thank you, Edgar.

Don Wuori - Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Wuori has been active in CNPA leadership roles since the organization’s inception 30 years ago. He is a past CNPA president and he is currently one of the Midlands Region Co-Coordinators. He also serves as the chairman of the Board Nominations Committee and has entertained us as our annual meeting emcee.

Congratulations and thank you, Don.

Joanne Wuori -Lifetime Achievement Award

Joanne Wuori loves CNPA and pitches in to help whenever needed. Joanne has served as the organization’s secretary for many years. She has been a member of the CNPA board of directors and has been in charge of the registration desk at numerous annual meetings. Joanne’s contributions to CNPA extend beyond what members see. For example, she’s spent many an hour compiling packets for annual meeting attendees and stuffing badges.

Joanne, thank you and congratulations.

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