The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) is proud to announce a $150,000 grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund in support of WSF's Grant-In-Aid Program for fiscal year 2026–27.
For the past eight years, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund has been a steadfast partner in WSF's mission to Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®, contributing a total of $926,000 to advance critical conservation initiatives throughout North America.
"The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund has been one of the most impactful conservation funding partners the Wild Sheep Foundation has ever had," said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. "Their commitment over the past eight years has helped us address some of the most pressing challenges facing wild sheep while creating lasting conservation benefits across the continent. Their investment is making a measurable difference today and will continue to do so for generations to come."
Through the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund, Bass Pro Shops has long invested in projects that conserve wildlife habitat, strengthen fish and wildlife populations, and connect customers and partners to a shared mission of conservation.
"Healthy wildlife populations are one of the greatest gifts we can leave future generations," said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. "We're proud to support the Wild Sheep Foundation and the important work they're doing to conserve wild sheep and the habitat they depend on."
Since the partnership began, the Outdoor Fund's support has helped advance many high-priority conservation projects, including water developments in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas benefiting desert bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife; Stone's sheep health assessments and prescribed burning projects in Canada; multi-state disease surveillance and recovery efforts; restoration and translocation projects across several states; WSF's international Coming Home initiative between the United States and Canada; public lands conservation in Montana; and bighorn sheep restoration efforts in Nebraska.
WSF's Grant-In-Aid Program directs funding to state, provincial, territorial, and Tribal wildlife agencies and qualified conservation organizations for projects that restore and enhance wild sheep populations, improve habitat, address disease, and advance science-based wildlife management.
About the Wild Sheep Foundation: The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Montana, is a leading international conservation organization dedicated to wild sheep and their habitats. Founded in 1977 by sportsmen and conservationists, WSF has invested more than $156 million in conservation efforts worldwide.
Through initiatives focused on habitat enhancement, population restoration, scientific research, education, and advocacy, WSF works to fulfill its mission to "Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®." These efforts have helped restore North American bighorn sheep populations from historic lows of approximately 25,000 in the mid-20th century to more than 85,000 today.
WSF serves a global membership of more than 11,000 supporters and collaborates with partners across North America, Europe, and Asia to ensure a sustainable future for wild sheep. Learn more at www.wildsheepfoundation.org.