New York, NY-Field & Stream, the world's leading outdoor magazine, announced yesterday that Ryan Krapp of Bismarck, N.D., has been named the publication's 2014 Conservation Hero of the Year. Field & Stream's Heroes of Conservation program, now in its ninth year, is dedicated to honoring volunteers involved in grassroots projects that protect and maintain fish and wildlife habitat across the country.
As state chair of the North Dakota Mule Deer Foundation for two years, and a leader of his local chapter for six years before that, Krapp has been instrumental in raising the funds to enroll land-owners in the state's Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) program. He also spearheaded a $75,000 prescribed burn project, which should take place this spring. Krapp, who has his master's in wildlife and fisheries biology, is also working with his contacts in the energy industry to lobby for a more balanced approach to oil and gas development.
Krapp was awarded the honor at a gala event in Washington, D.C., the evening of September 17 where he was one of six finalists in the running for the title. Each of the finalists was presented with a $5,000 grant and Krapp was also awarded a new Toyota Tundra, courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. The honorees are all featured in the October issue of Field & Stream, on newsstands now, and are also profiled in a twelve-part video series online.
"Ryan's volunteerism has the potential to positively impact conservation for generations to come," said Anthony Licata, Editorial Director of Field & Stream. "North Dakota is in the midst of an energy boom making Ryan's work to ensure the state's wildlife heritage all the more essential."
Besides winner Krapp, the five honorees recognized as finalists at the event included:
• Bill Anderson of Altoona, Pa., is leading the Little Juniata River Association in a full-scale habitat improvement and restoration project of the namesake river.
• Ron Crabtree of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is a major voice for bobwhite quail, lobbying for the bird's habitat needs and enrolling landowners in conservation programs to benefit the birds.
• Ken Miracle of Boise, Idaho, a photographer who donates his images to benefit sage grouse and also works hands-on to restore wet meadows--important areas for sage grouse chicks to feed.
• Dr. John Muramatsu of Des Moines, Wash., has worked on coho salmon stream restoration projects and scientific studies for the past 21 years, raises funds for salmon restoration, and helps introduce children to conservation work.
• Scott Rall, Worthington, Minn., helped facilitate the acquisition of 2,500 acres of land for conservation where habitat improvement projects are now underway.
"This is a very important program to Toyota because it acknowledges individuals who go out of their way to make the environment a better place," said Steve Appelbaum, National Manager, Engagement Marketing, Toyota Motor Sales. "These people aren't looking for gratitude or recognition. Instead, they work tirelessly because they want to make a difference - for our generation and generations to come. We take great pride in being able to spotlight their efforts on a national stage."
Field & Stream has been committed to the preservation of natural resources for more than 100 years. The magazine, founded in part to help inform outdoorsmen about conservation and ethics measures, helped to popularize the term "conservation ethic" in 1907. In 2005, Field & Stream continued that tradition with an article titled "Heroes of Conservation," focused on the local efforts of everyday outdoorsmen. Out of this, a new program was created to recognize sportsmen's efforts to protect fish and wildlife. Since the introduction of the program, the magazine has been proud to profile and support the conservation efforts of more than 200 men and women.
The Heroes of Conservation Awards are open to individuals involved in a hunting- and/or fishing-related conservation project that is well under way or completed. Selections are based on a number of factors, including leadership, commitment, project growth, and results. For complete details, including rules, regulations, and nomination instructions, please visit www.fieldandstream.com/heroes.
ABOUT FIELD & STREAM
Field & Stream®, The World's Leading Outdoor Magazine, is the world's largest and most recognized outdoor publication. Devoted to the complete outdoor experience and lifestyle, Field & Stream gives its readers the knowledge and inspiration to pursue the sports they love. It celebrates the outdoor experience with great stories, compelling photography, and sound advice, while honoring the traditions hunters and fishermen have passed down for generations. Established in 1895, Field & Stream is the country's largest-circulation special-interest magazine and is published 11 times per year by the Bonnier Corporation. The Bonnier Corp. is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in the United States, and is the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences with more than 30 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.
ABOUT TOYOTA
Toyota, the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, the company has built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where Toyota operates 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ nearly 40,000 people. The company's 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 - and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Media Contact:
Amanda McNally amanda.mcnally@bonniercorp.com or 718-869-2212
