More than two dozen Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources employees have received special awards for outstanding service in 2023.
Ryan Taylor, Public Lands Wildlife Biologist in Breckinridge County for 16 years, received the Biologist of the Year Award.
One of four peer-nominated awards, this honor was given to Taylor for his management of two agency properties southwest of Louisville, Yellowbank WMA and the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. He also served as the director for the public campground at Otter Creek, managing reservations and coordinating events including the Ragnar Trail Kentucky relay, two 5K events and a haunted forest.
Despite being extremely short staffed, Taylor coordinated multiple contracts for the use and management of each property, sought and received two outside grants for habitat improvement projects, and coordinated multiple wildlife and maintenance projects at the properties.
Ben Robinson, director of the Wildlife Division, said in addition to his normal biologist duties, Ryan had to act as both a Wildlife Foreman and Wildlife Technician, and he did so without complaint. In addition, he was instrumental in the initial planning and site development of the new Belvedere Tract of Yellowbank WMA, and organized and led a crew of staff and volunteers to remove downed trees following a severe windstorm to reopen Otter Creek to the public.
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