The IWJV exists because of the strength of our partners. Together, we achieve conservation for wildlife and people across the region and beyond. We think our partners are the greatest and we’re proud to recognize those that have demonstrated leadership in the Intermountain West through our Conservation Leadership Awards. Nominations are currently open for five award categories that allow for broad recognition of conservation activities that closely match the diversity of the IWJV partnership. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2018.

There are a number of other award programs and special events that also recognize the outstanding efforts of conservation leaders who we’re proud to call our partners. We’re thrilled to share the news and help spotlight the individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership in habitat conservation. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding partners who recently received awards!

Long-standing IWJV Management Board member, Virgil Moore, was recently recognized for his leadership on sagebrush ecosystem conservation work at the 8th Annual Sage Grouse Initiative Workshop in Boise, Idaho.  As Chairman of the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee and Director of Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Virgil has demonstrated outstanding leadership on western working lands conservation. His efforts have facilitated partnerships that greatly benefit sagebrush habitat, and the wildlife and people who depend upon it.

Virgil joined the IWJV Management Board in 2008 and is currently serving his fourth term.  He has 40 years of experience in wildlife management and has held numerous executive management positions within IDFG in addition to leadership roles at the regional and national level.

Jaime Stephens of the Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) received a Leadership Award from Partners in Flight (PIF) for her outstanding guidance and direction as KBO’s Science Director. Her production and application of science that is then implemented through partner focused delivery has resulted in measurable benefits for birds and the people with whom she works. Jaime’s excellence in leadership is exemplified through her supervision and mentoring of a team of effective, passionate, and productive biologists while also taking on leadership roles in PIF, including the Western Working Group, and within other conservation focused initiatives. KBO’s mission of advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships is an important element of the bird habitat conservation community within the Intermountain West.

The Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO) was presented the Partners in Flight’s Investigations Award for its landbird monitoring, research and conservation in the Great Basin. GBBO has helped fill data gaps which provided the foundation for science-based decisions over a large geographic area greatly affected by a wide range of extractive land uses. Without GBBO, many decisions on public lands throughout the expansive Great Basin would have been largely uninformed by multi-species scientific data on landbirds. The Great Basin is considered one of the most ecologically significant bird habitats in the Intermountain West.