PHOENIX — The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street in Phoenix.
The awards recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state’s wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
This year’s award recipients, who were selected at the commission’s September 21, 2018 meeting, are:
- Award of Excellence: Conserve and Protect Arizona (CAPAZ)
- Youth Conservationist of the Year: Jacob Maher
- Media of the Year: Mike Russell
- Conservation Organization of the Year: Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation
- Conservationist of the Year: Joe Miller
- Natural Resource Professional of the Year: Kyle Spencer
- Volunteer of the Year: James (Spud) Hester
- Educator of the Year: Rebecca Bouquot
- Mentor of the Year: Tim Denny
- Advocate of the Year – State: Rusty Bowers
- Advocate of the Year – Federal: Greg Sheehan
- Business Partner of the Year: Patriot Ordnance Factory
- Buck Appleby Hunter Education Instructor of the Year: Navajo Nation Hunter Education Team
- Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year: Mike Hemovich
- North American Model Commissioners Award: Paul Greer
- Chairman’s Award: Salt River Project
Those interested in attending can download and fill out a reservation form and return with a check or cash to the address listed on the form. The cost is $65 per individual before December 31, 2018 and $75 after. Table sponsorships are also available. All RSVP’s are due by January 4, 2019.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission held its first annual awards banquet in 1991. Since then, a total of 391 recipients have been recognized with commission awards.