John F. Morten Award for Exemplary Lakes Stewardship

In September 2002, a special award was created in honor of the late John F. Morten (1914-1989). It was Mr. Morten’s lifelong work, giving generously of his time, talents, and financial resources to help protect New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds that he loved so much. He was a person who made things happen—at once the creative idea man, leader, and activist who was organized, determined, and persistent in the achievement of any task. It is in tribute to his vision, dedication, commitment and vigor that NH LAKES established the John F. Morten Memorial Award for Exemplary Lakes Stewardship.

Call for Nominations

The 2025 nomination period will be opening in the spring of 2025.

The eligible candidate(s) should possess any one or several of the following characteristics:

- Exemplify the values, commitment, and hard work that John Morten brought to the cause of lake protection
- Serve as a model of an exemplary lake steward by the way they live and act
- Unselfish giving of time, talent and/or treasure to protect New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds
- Notable achievements as a practicing lake educator
- Manifested vision and foresight in developing long term solutions to long term problems related to New Hampshire’s public water

(Please note that current NH LAKES Board Members and Staff are not eligible to be nominated for the award.)

John F. Morten Award Recipients

2002 State Senator Carl Johnson (Meredith)
2003 Laura and John Nichols (Wolfeboro)
2004 Nancy Earle (South Conway)
2005 William B. Martin, Jr. (Enfield)
2006 W. Wallace Francis (Nelson)
2007 Courtland Cross (New London)
2008 Hallock Richards (Moultonborough)
2009 Philip Parsons (Sandwich)
2010 Shirley and Glyn Green (Enfield)
2011 John (‘Jack’) Sheehan (New London)
2012 Richard (‘Dick’) Clayton (New London)
2013 Tom Duffy (Nottingham)
2014 Marge and Dave Thorpe (Meredith)
2015 Robin Loveland (Antrim)
2016 William (Bill) Schroeder (Windham)
2017 John B. Wilson (New London)
2018 Midge Eliassen (Sunapee)
2019 Mark Lorenze (Franklin)
2020 Ted Kramer (Silver Lake)
2021 Ann Scholz (Northwood)
2022 Joseph Farrelly (Deerfield)
2023 Steve Wingate (Mirror Lake)
2024 Bayard Tracy (Spofford Lake)