Bozeman, Montana. February 7, 2022. During the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Sheep Week® Convention and Expo, one of the many highlights is the presentation of the Foundation’s annual awards and those presented by its partners.

“We are blessed in so many ways, including the opportunity to recognize several individuals that have selflessly given so much,” said Gray N. Thornton, president, and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Conservation is a labor of love and a life’s work for many. We’re proud to be able to call all our award recipients outstanding members of the Wild Sheep Family and give them the recognition they deserve.”

Several award recipients were announced and recognized on stage throughout three evening banquets. The 2022 WSF Awards and recipients include:

• Gordon Eastman Grass Roots Award – Outstanding Chapter member; Lee Howard (UTWSF)
• Wild Sheep Biologist Wall of Fame; Helen Schwantje, DVM (British Columbia)
• State Statesman Award; Frances Cassirer, Ph.D. (IDFG - Idaho)
• Federal Statesman Award; Mary VanderKop, DVM (Yukon Territory)
• Outstanding Conservationist; Clay Brewer (Texas)
• Jack O’Connor Writers Award; Angelo Baio, (North Carolina)
• President’s Award – Outstanding service to WSF and our industry partners; Larry Johns (Nevada)
• Chair’s Award; – Outstanding contribution to the WSF Mission; WSF Staff
• Artemis Award – Outstanding Women Conservationist; Ellen Campbell (Oregon)

WSF presented its new Argali Conservation Achievement Award to His Excellency Rustami Emomali, mayor of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and founder of the Association of Hunters of Tajikistan, for his work to conserve the country’s 25,000+ Argali, 4,000+ markhor, and 4,000+ Urial.

WSF also gave two prestigious awards representing the hard work and dedication in the fields of guiding and outfitting:

• G.C. F Dalziel Outstanding Guide; Alan Klassen (Yukon Territory)
• Frank Golata Outstanding Outfitter; The Artee Family, Sierra el Alamo (Mexico)

Presented via video during WSF’s virtual 2021 convention and now for the first time in person during Sheep Week® 2022, WSF’s partner, the Conklin Foundation, presented the prestigious Conklin Award to Sergey Yastrzhembski of Russia during our Friday Legacy Night celebration.

“The pandemic of 2021 put our awards on hold,” Thornton explained. “Even though we had a successful virtual show last year, being announced and brought on stage in front of a packed house of your friends, colleges, peers, and past clients is a big part of well-deserved recognition. We are all thankful for being able to gather again in-person and give these outstanding individuals the applause they all earned.”

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The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by wild sheep conservationists and enthusiasts. With a membership of more than 8,500 worldwide, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep and other mountain wildlife and their habitats. WSF has raised and expended more than $135 million on wild sheep habitat and population enhancements, education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain”®. These and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations in North America from historic lows in the 1950-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. www.wildsheepfoundation.org.

Media Contacts: Keith R. Balfourd 406-404-8750 keith@wildsheepfoundation.org

www.wildsheepfoundation.org