Reservations Accepted For Annual Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet Jan. 16

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will recognize 16 people during the 2015 Commission Awards event, which will commend national, state and local leaders, wildlife advocates and volunteers for their work to support the state’s wildlife.

The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Arizona Grand Resort at 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway in Phoenix. Reservations are being accepted for $65 per person to attend the event, which begins with a social hour and live music at 5 p.m., and will be followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 6 p.m.

The banquet recognizes 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. Those to be honored this year, include:

Award of Excellence: Mohave County Supervisor Hildy Angius

Award of Excellence: Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich

Youth Environmentalist of the Year: KJ Aldridge

Outdoor Writer of the Year: Margaret Anderson

Media of the Year: Rosie Romero Jr.

Conservation Organization of the Year: Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary

Conservationist of the Year: Steve Clark

Natural Resource Professional of the Year: Ray Suazo

Volunteer of the Year: Chad Villamor

Educator of the Year: Melanie Engstrom

Mentor of the Year: Richard Williams

Advocate of the Year - State: Arizona House Speaker Rep. David Gowan Sr.

Advocate of the Year - Federal: U.S. Sen. John McCain

Buck Appleby Hunter Education Instructor of the Year: Pattrick Headington

Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year: Spider Ranch

North American Model Commissioners Award: Carol Lynde

The first Commission Awards event was held in January 1991 and since then, 344 people have been recognized for their dedicated work toward securing Arizona’s wildlife for generations to come.

To make a reservation, use the RSVP form located on the Department website at https://azgfdportal.az.gov/agency/commission/awards or contact Lynn Roe at (623) 236-7332 or e-mail lroe@azgfd.gov.