Conservationist of the Year
Southern Maryland Audubon has named Matthew Neff of the Calvert Marine Museum as “2025 Conservationist of the Year” for his exceptional work as a researcher, educator and leader in support of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Neff, who is the curator of estuarine biology at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD, works tirelessly to educate the public on the flora and fauna of the Chesapeake Bay and conservation issues threatening the bay area.
He heads FrogWatch USA for Southern Maryland and the surrounding DMV, which is in its 13th season. FrogWatch is a citizen science program that tracks frog populations suffering from habitat loss, disease and other threats.
“Matt forges that critical connection between people and wildlife —yes, including snakes— and the importance of protecting the habitat our wild creatures need to survive now and in the future,” said Robert Lukinic, conservation chair for Southern Maryland Audubon.
While Matt said he is “thrilled and honored to receive the award,” he still feels like he has much more he wants to do. He is currently working with Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local schools to install acoustic recorders to try to find some state endangered species such as the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad and Carpenter Frog.
Neff also manages a staff responsible for the care of over 500 individual animals representing 75 species found in the Chesapeake, including Eastern Hellbenders, Cownose Rays, and North American River Otters.
Prior to his work at the Calvert Marine Museum, Neff was a herpetology animal keeper at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, implementing conservation programs to protect amphibians and reptiles.
The award, now in its 32nd year, was presented at Southern Maryland Audubon’s annual meeting and potluck picnic at Maxwell Hall in Hughesville, MD.
