The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is currently accepting nominations for the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame and the newly created Youth Conservationist of the Year award. These initiatives aim to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s outdoor heritage.

The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant and lasting lifetime contributions to the conservation of Wyoming's outdoor heritage. The 2025 nominations are being accepted until Sept. 13.

“The Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame celebrates the many conservationists and sportspeople across Wyoming who work to ensure the wildlife resources in Wyoming remain for future generations,” said Brian Nesvik, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “As chair of the Outdoor Hall of Fame committee, I invite you to submit a nomination this year to honor a person who has given his or her life’s work to Wyoming’s outdoors.”

Since 2004, the Outdoor Hall of Fame has recognized individuals who have worked consistently over many years to conserve Wyoming's natural resources through volunteer service, environmental restoration, educational activities, audio/visual and written media, the arts and political and individual leadership.

Nominees have the opportunity to join well-known inductees such as Curt Gowdy, Olaus and Mardy Murie, President Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Cody.

In addition to the Hall of Fame, the department is also seeking nominations for the Wyoming Youth Conservationist of the Year award, which honors a Wyoming resident 18 years or younger who has shown leadership and achievement in conservation. Anyone can nominate a young person for the award.

“Wyoming youth are making fantastic contributions to our state’s outdoors and wildlife,” said Nesvik. “This award recognizes young individuals already making a difference and encourages others to undertake conservation projects.”

The induction ceremony for the Outdoor Hall of Fame and award presentation for Youth Conservationist of the Year will take place in Cody at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West in March 2025. Tickets will be available for the public to attend.

Nomination packets for both awards are available on the Game and Fish website. A selection committee comprising Game and Fish personnel, conservation organizations and community members committed to Wyoming’s conservation will choose the inductee and Youth Conservationist of the Year.