OUTDOOR BRIEF

SERVICE HONORED

Volunteers recognized at Wildlife Federation banquet

Several Nevada Department of Wildlife volunteers recently were honored for their service at the Nevada Wildlife Federation's 60th annual awards banquet at the Clark County Shooting Park. The event was in the state-of-the-art education center that serves as the new home for NDOW hunter education classes.

Hunter Educator of the Year went to Dave Rojas, a member of the Carpenters' Union who has been serving as a volunteer instructor in Southern Nevada for the past 10 years. During his tenure, Rojas has overseen the establishment of regularly scheduled hunter education classes to meet the needs of hunters in the northeast corner of the Las Vegas Valley.

"Hunter education instructors play a pivotal role in the future of hunting in Nevada and the safety of those who participate in the outdoor sports," said Martin Olson, Southern Region Hunter Education Coordinator for NDOW. "Dave Rojas is an excellent instructor who is dedicated to helping his students to become safer, law-abiding hunters with strong ethical character."

Many of the refinements in the education center, including shelving for taxidermy mounts and housing for equipment, were donated by the Carpenters Training Center, which was the recipient of the Conservation Organization of the Year award. The Carpenters Training Center has offered its facility as a site for hunter education classes for more than 10 years.

Jeylene and Monte Ash were honored with the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year award for their innumerable hours of volunteer service to NDOW. The husband-and-wife team has participated in many habitat projects, bighorn sheep capture and transplant efforts and species surveys during their years of service. Jeylene Ash has also been a volunteer to the agency's Project Wild program.

The Conservation Educator of the year award was presented to Dr. Allison Brody, project manager for Conservation Education and Interpretation for the Public Lands Institute. Brody actively works with NDOW conservation educators to implement environmental education throughout the state.

Ginny Selwood of Nevada State Parks received the Conservation Communicator of the year honor for her work in delivering information to the public.

Finally, Gale Dupree, who has been on the board of directors for Nevada Wildlife Federation for 30 years, received the State Conservationist of the Year award. Dupree served several years as secretary and treasurer for the Federation and four years as president. He continues to be active with sage grouse conservation in the state, as well as habitat restoration and backyard habitat projects.

"Both organizations, the Nevada Wildlife Federation and Nevada Department of Wildlife, greatly appreciate the efforts of these and all individuals involved in sustaining Nevada's wildlife heritage. It is through such dedicated efforts that the future of wild things and wild places will be insured," said Doug Nielsen, conservation education supervisor for NDOW.

The federation is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation and serves to promote wildlife conservation in the state through many different venues. Awards are given on a yearly basis to those individuals or entities that make significant contributions in these areas.