TOPSHAM — The Maine Chapter of The Wildlife Society has presented wildlife biologist Steve Pelletier its 2015 Award of Professional Achievement, the society’s highest professional honor.

The award recognizes Maine wildlife professionals who have distinguished themselves through a long-term commitment to the profession and advancing wildlife conservation, management, research and public education.

Pelletier, a principal at Topsham-based consulting firm Stantec, has been working on wildlife issues across the state and beyond for over 35 years. With particular expertise in bird and bat ecology, he became a pioneer in using marine radar systems to track bird and bat migration at night. It has since helped regulatory agencies, including the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, better guide offshore development across the East Coast and Great Lakes. He has also worked to assess the use of ultraviolet light to deter bats near wind turbines.