News  Ernie Foster Receives Conservation Award

On September 23, 2026, Ernest (Ernie) Foster IV of Scituate received the Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award from the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for his contributions to the sporting community and to the conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources. Foster is the 17^th recipient of the prestigious award named for the former governor and noted conservationist who directed the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) in 1963–64.

Foster, a lifelong hunter and angler, accepted the award—an engraved crystal obelisk—during a ceremony at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters in Westborough. “Receiving the Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award is an incredible honor, especially given Governor Sargent’s legacy as a true champion for the Commonwealth’s natural resources and sporting heritage,” said Ernie Foster upon receiving the honor. “Conservation in Massachusetts is a team effort built on strong partnerships, dedicated state staff, and passionate outdoor communities. I share this award with my family, my former colleagues on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, and all the sportspeople who work every day to protect and pass down our wild places to the next generation.” 

The ceremony brought together Fisheries and Wildlife Board members, MassWildlife staff, leaders of sporting and conservation organizations, previous Sargent Award recipients, colleagues, friends, and family. “Ernie’s dedication to conservation comes from his deep connection to the outdoors and a strong belief in sharing those traditions with others,” said Emma Ellsworth, Fisheries and Wildlife Board Chair. “During his years on the Board, he was a thoughtful leader, a trusted colleague, and a tireless advocate for creating opportunities for people of all ages to hunt, fish, and connect with nature.” Foster also received a Governor’s citation celebrating his achievement.

When presenting the award, Ellsworth praised Foster’s passion for the outdoors and his commitment to passing those traditions on to the next generation. Foster served on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for nearly a decade, from 2017 to earlier this year. During his tenure, Foster was elected to positions of Secretary and then Vice Chair during his last year on the Board.

“Throughout his life, Ernie Foster has been an enthusiastic champion of access to outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”

Foster's love for the outdoors was established early in life, with hunting, fishing, and shooting all strong elements of his family tradition. Foster is an active life member of the Scituate Rod and Gun Club, the Old Colony Sportsmen's Association, the National Skeet Shooting Association, and the National Sporting Clays Association (NSSA-NSCA). He is a current member and past chairman of the Ducks Unlimited Minot's Ledge Chapter and a member of the Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever, SE Mass Sporting and Conservation Alliance, and The Trustees.

Foster has served as a volunteer hunter education instructor for the past several years, helping teach hundreds of new hunters how to practice safe, ethical, and legal hunting. His service to the Hunter Education Program reflects his commitment to passing on Massachusetts’ sporting traditions and preparing the next generation of responsible hunters.

“Ernie understands that lasting conservation depends on people having a meaningful connection to the outdoors,” said MassWildlife Director Eve Schlüter. “His service on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board and his lifelong commitment to hunting, fishing, stewardship, and introducing others to the outdoors have strengthened Massachusetts’ conservation community. We are grateful for his leadership and congratulate him on this well-earned recognition.”

A graduate of Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, Foster began his career as a commercial printer and is now an established business owner and marketing and branding executive with businesses located on the South Shore. His work in the printing and paper industries gave him firsthand exposure to the scientific and technical aspects of forest and habitat management. Tours of paper mills and timber harvesting sites broadened his understanding of working forests and helped shape his advocacy for conservation and the preservation of open space. Foster now lives with his wife, four children, and three dogs in the Scituate home he has owned for over thirty years. In his rare leisure time, he enjoys casting a fly, training his bird dog, and shooting his bow.