Keith Hudson of Florence, Ala. was chosen as Wildlife Biologist of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The award is given to one individual from 17 different agencies, and is the association’s most prestigious award.

Hudson is currently the North Alabama Nongame Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

"Keith's willingness to embrace new challenges and his vision for advancing new ideas has produced an exemplary body of work during his time with the division," WFF Director Corky Pugh said. "Keith has spent a lifetime in true service to the resources of Alabama and its citizens.”

Hudson established Alabama’s first comprehensive survey of the state's bat population, and is known as a regional authority on bats. Hudson is also a Master Hunter Education Instructor with more than 1,000 graduates of the WFF Hunter Education Program under his belt.

Hudson has written over 100 articles on wildlife management and conservation for the mainstream media and had nine articles published in scientific and technical journals including the Journal of Mammalogy and Journal of Wildlife Disease.

Hudson earned his bachelors and masters degrees in wildlife management from Auburn University.