State Conservationist of the Year:
Duane "Swede" Erickson

Swede has been instrumental in seeing that good wildlife conservation achievements are met between businesses, state, and federal agencies as Habitat Supervisor for Nevada Division of Wildlife’s in northeastern Nevada.  He is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable habitat specialist in the state.  Swede played a major role in negotiations with mining, business, agency, and sportsmen clubs to enhance winter range habitat for deer in the Independence Mountains and Dunphy-Izzenhood regions.  Through his efforts, money was donated for range improvements and under his supervision several thousand acres of wildlife habitat were restored or improved.  Thank you for your support of the wildlife programs and your efforts in ensuring good conservation practices for Nevada.

Award Sponsor: Nevada Waterfowl Association, Reno.

Faith Bremner is a reporter who works hard at reporting wildlife issues important to Nevada.  She is especially concerned with viewing all sides of an issue that is controversial, thus allowing readers to be informed and better able to access which actions they might wish to follow.   Ms. Bremner’s article on reptile collecting in Nevada that appeared in the Reno-Gazzette Journal this past September, won praise for its accurate portrayal from biologist and viewers alike through out the state.  Since her college years at the University of Nevada Reno, Faith Bremner has showed her dedication to habitat conservation in Nevada by wielding her mighty pen.

Award Sponsor: International Gaming Technology, Reno.

Conservation Organization of the Year:
Nevada Youth Range Camp

Nevada Youth Range Camp is the oldest and most constant provider of natural resource management education for youth ages 14-18 in the state.  This outdoor curriculum shows the interrelationships among people, range lands, water, soils, wildlife and recreation resources available in Nevada.  This week long course exposes many of the participants to careers and actual work environments in today’s world.  Here the students meet youth from other states, Canada and Mexico and are exposed to resource management issues and topics on an international level.

Award Sponsor: Boomtown Hotel / Casino / Family Fun Center RV Park, Truckers, Verdi.

Conservation Educator of the Year:
Michelle Pasquale

Michelle Pasquale took the lead in developing an environmental education project called Project Fire, short for Furthering Interest in Reclaiming an Ecosystem, for the state of Nevada.  Funded from a five year grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ms. Pasquale led in developing lesson plans that focuses on getting students involved in teaching and with hands on experiences with fire management.  In addition, she help coordinate multi-agency support in team teaching Project Fire and setting up field research with students to monitor land plots for years to come. Michelle Pasquale is committed to environmental education and conservation and in her own words, "I finally feel that I have taught science the way it should be taught - in the middle of it, watching it, touching it, and projecting what may happen with it in the future!".

Award Sponsor: Sierra Pacific Power Company, Reno.

Les Smith has been involved with making a better hunter education program for Nevadans.  He saw a need for a course that enhances safety while hunting. In partnership with Texas’ Wildlife Department, Mr. Smith has created a new manual that allows more student time practicing actual field exercises - hands on safety training.  This manual is so successful that TIME WARNER has published it and the manual is throughout the Nation.  He encouraged volunteer educators to use the new hunter education manual and to try a new way of ensuring that safe and ethical practices of hunting are imputed in the field.  In this way, Les Smith is carrying on a tradition of respect for the land that is multiplied ten fold!

Award Sponsor: Ormsby Sportsmen’s Association.

Youth Conservationist of the Year:
Justin Thran

Justin Thran at 15 years of age has done more for hungry birds and hungry people than most adults ever do in their entire lifetime.  In the past five years, Justin has raised more than $20,000 for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and other nonprofit organizations from the sale of his custom bird houses and feeders.  He is dedicated to enhancing people’s appreciation of birds in their own back yard as well as people in our community!

Award Sponsor:   Ken & Tom Cavin, Cavin’s Woodcrafts, Carson City

Rose Strickland has focused most of her conservation work these last ten years on improving the health of the land - mainly the habitat all life lives upon.  She wrote How Not To Be Cowed a book on current range practices in Nevada and how they can be improved.  Ms. Strickland has sponsored many grazing workshops both through the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation.  Her knowledge about Nevada and its ecosystems is well known by biologist, legislatures, conservation groups and concerned citizens through out the state of Nevada.

Award Sponsor:   The Sportsman, Reno.

Dennis has worked quietly behind the scenes for over twenty years to educate the local community regarding endangered species, water issues, soil erosion problems and to enhance restoration of the Truckee River after the great flood.  He has proven that local citizens can work together as a community, and work with governmental agencies - not against them.  Dennis has spent countless hours speaking at various clubs, giving slide shows on resource issues across northern Nevada, testifying in front of the legislature for habitat conservation and writing articles to inform the public.  Dennis Ghigliere is a hard working supporter of a beautiful Nevada.

Award Sponsor: J.W. McClenahan Company, San Matao, CA and Sparks.