AZGFC Announces Recipients Of This Year's Awards

PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Commission announced the recipients of the 2024 Commission Awards at its September meeting in Prescott, Ariz. 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 recipients are -

• Award of Excellence – Kohinoor Kar – ADOT

• Youth Conservationist of the Year – Ryder and Cadence Walton

• Media of the Year – The Williams Grand Canyon News

• Conservation Organization of the Year – Pete Cimellaro – AZ Big Game Super Raffle dba Conservation First

• Conservationist of the Year – Nate Rees – Trout Unlimited

• Natural Resource Professional of the Year – Cheryl Rodriguez

• Volunteer of the Year – Mark Venuti

• Educator of the Year – Jacob Swartwood

• Mentor of the Year – Marci Welton

• Advocate of the Year (State) – Rep. Tim Dunn

• Business Partner of the Year – AZ Fly Shop – Chris Rich

• Buck Appleby Hunter Education Instructor of the Year – Denis Rusty McBride – Sprague's Sports LLC

• Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year – Terry Schmidt of Schmidt Ranch

• North American Model Commissioners' Award – Jeff Gagnon

The awards will be presented at the annual Commission Awards Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Grande Ballroom, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.

The banquet will begin with a social hour at 4 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The awards will be presented concurrently with dinner. The cost is $75 per person. All RSVP's are due by Jan. 3, 2025.

Registration and Sponsorship Form

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission held its first annual awards banquet on Jan. 12, 1991. Since then, more than 400 recipients have been recognized with Commission awards. The awards banquet gives the Commission an opportunity to recognize individuals, groups and organizations for their contributions to Arizona's wildlife resources.

All of the costs associated with the awards banquet must be paid for by ticket sales and sponsorship donations, including the complimentary tickets for award recipients and their spouse or guest. Table sponsorships for organizations are available in several categories and include logo advertisement in the event program and sponsorship recognition during the introductory PowerPoint presentation.