National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WYOMING RANCHER RECEIVES NATIONAL NACD/NRCS AWARD

NEW ORLEANS, LA, Feb. 4, 2009—The 2nd Annual NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award was presented to Wyoming rancher Ralph Brokaw for his leadership and service in conserving natural resources on privately owned land.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting Chief Dave White and National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) President John Redding praised Brokaw for his contributions to conservation.

“Ralph Brokaw’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing conservation partnerships at all levels. His efforts have produced real conservation benefits on the land and inspired others to be better stewards,” said White.

Brokaw has served more than 18 years as a conservation leader at the local, state and national level.  Brokaw has served with distinction as vice-chairman and chairman of the Medicine Bow Conservation District in Wyoming; as president of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts; and as a member of NACD’s Natural Resource Policy Committee

The Brokaw family ranch, the Three Circle (000) Livestock LLC, in Wyoming is a testament to his commitment to healthy lands.  His commitment to natural resource conservation management makes him a leader and example in his community and throughout Wyoming.  The family operation consists of irrigated native meadows, and rangelands and mountain pasture grazing.  Developing livestock and wildlife friendly watering and fencing options; improving irrigation efficiency; implementing rangeland/grazing systems; and wildlife management all contribute to the Brokaw family reaching their conservation goals.

Brokaw remains diligent in maintaining a balance between a sustainable livestock operation and realistic management of wildlife including the introduction of elk, antelope, deer and trout to his ranch.  His active leadership and cooperative efforts with wildlife earned the family the 2002 Landowner of the year award for the Laramie Region presented by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 

Established in tribute to the late NACD President, the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award recognizes outstanding conservation leadership at the state and local level. Sims, a rancher from McFadden, Wyoming, lived a life distinguished by years of volunteer service to conservation.

 “Olin was a true conservationist who was equally committed to practicing conservation and advocating for it,” said Redding. “This award epitomizes the conservation leadership and integrity that was his life and highlights the leadership of other conservationists who assume the mantle of conservation leadership into the future.”

Brokaw received the award during the Appreciation Banquet at NACD’s Annual Conference in New Orleans.

The NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual, district, or organization. Recipients will be selected based upon superior service to the conservation community in promoting and leading conservation on private lands.

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Since its inception in the 1930’s, NRCS’s conservation delivery system continues a unique partnership, delivering conservation that respects local needs, while accommodating state and national interests. For more information on NRCS, the conservation partnership, and conservation programs available in your community, stop by your local USDA service center, or visit NRCS online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

NACD is the non-profit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD’s website is at www.nacdnet.org.