 Pilkey has received numerous awards, among them the Francis Parker Shepard medal for excellence in marine geology in 1987, and in 2003, the Priestley Award, for distinguished research in coastal geology and public service in policy formulation and education about America’s coastal resources, presented by Dickinson College, Pennsylvania.In 1990, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in cooperation with theNational Wildlife Federation, presenting Pilkey the Governor's Award, for Conservation Educator of the Year.Several others include