Lawrence Taylor, outdoor writer and Public Relations Director for PRADCO - Fishing in Fort Smith, Ark., was named Arkansas Conservation Communicator of the Year for 2010 by the Arkansas Wildlife Federation (AWF) at the 73 Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet Saturday, August 28.
Each year, as part of the Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation selects an individual or organization that has provided outstanding media coverage that keeps the general public informed of environmental issues and needs impacting The Natural State.
"In years past, this Conservation Communicator of the Year Award has been bestowed upon such notable conservationists as Griffin Smith, executive editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, TV personality Steve R. "Wildman" Wilson, and long-time outdoor writer Trey Reid," said Keith Sutton, noted outdoor writer, executive director for the Future Fisherman Foundation and a former winner of the Conservation Communicator of the Year award. "The award is one of the highest honors that can be received by an Arkansas journalist, and this recognition of Lawrence Taylor is certainly befitting because of the many thousands of words he's written to keep the public informed about environmental issues in Arkansas."
Taylor is the Outdoors columnist for Entertainment Fort Smith magazine, providing news and local outdoor opportunities to thousands of readers each month. He also writes for a number of national publications and websites, as well as the PRADCO - Fishing website (
www.lurenet.com) with readers around the world. As Public Relations Director for PRADCO - Fishing, Taylor supports numerous events throughout the state with product donations and volunteer time, especially when kids are involved.
"Kids are most important to me," he said. "I support every kids event that I can. I am incredibly honored by this award, especially when I look at some of the legendary past winners, like
Wade Bourne, Jim Spencer and Keith Sutton. Those guys truly are legends."
Prior to employment with PRADCO - Fishing, Taylor spent 6 years as Public Relations Manager for the company's Hunting division. He also spent nearly 10 years as editor of BASSIN' and Crappie World magazines. He holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma.