Robert Brewer
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation honored Cleveland State Community College Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries program director Robert Brewer as the Conservation Educator of the Year at the 55th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards.
“Winning this award means the world to me,” said Mr. Brewer. “It tells me my work is recognized by my colleagues and that it is making a difference in the conservation community, the lives of my students, and the community in general. Community partners like Greg Vital, Daryl Ratajczak, the TWRA, the U.S. Forestry Service, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and the Tennessee State Parks really make what I do so much easier and a pleasure to be a part of.”
Mr. Brewer is also an associate professor and coordinator of the Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation at Cleveland State. Also among the honorees at this year’s virtual ceremony were television host Bill Dance.
Mr. Brewer created a now award-winning conservation education non-profit called Student Wildlands Adventure Program (SWAP). SWAP provides life-changing experiences to underprivileged youth by taking them on week-long adventures where they learn about wildlife conservation. At Cleveland State, Mr. Brewer also developed the first two-year forestry, wildlife, and fisheries program in the state. His passion to help his students excel has led many to achieve successful careers in the wildlife and natural resource fields. Beyond the academic environment, Mr. Brewer is active in his community events and conservation initiatives.
The Community Colleges of Appalachia recognized Mr. Brewer earlier in 2020 by selecting his Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Program at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland to be the winner of the 2020 Community Colleges of Appalachia Instructional Program Award.