The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) has awarded Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) its highest honor, the James D. Range Conservation Award, recognizing his leadership in wildlife conservation and protection of public lands.
Zinke, a former Secretary of the Interior and a longtime advocate for public access and land stewardship, was honored during the TRCP’s annual Capital Conservation Awards Gala. The prestigious award is presented annually to one Democrat and one Republican who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to safeguarding America’s natural heritage.
The TRCP specifically cited Zinke’s sponsorship of the Public Lands in Public Hands Act and the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act as key reasons for his selection. Both pieces of legislation aim to enhance access to public lands and protect migration corridors critical to big game species such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.
“Growing up as a Boy Scout in the Flathead, I learned the importance of leaving the land better than you found it,” said Zinke. “That principle, rooted in the North American Conservation Ethic, shapes my work in Congress to ensure future generations can enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, fish, and explore as we have. Protecting public lands isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a national one.”
TRCP board member and Montana Fish & Wildlife Commissioner K.C. Walsh praised Zinke’s legacy. “Montana’s hunting and fishing traditions are iconic, and Representative Zinke has consistently fought to keep public lands accessible and to protect wildlife migration routes. This recognition is well-earned.”
Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of TRCP, echoed the sentiment, calling Zinke “a true champion for hunters and anglers” and emphasizing the bipartisan spirit of conservation.
Based in Missoula, Montana, TRCP is a national organization dedicated to ensuring all Americans have quality places to hunt and fish. Its annual gala draws conservationists, lawmakers, and industry leaders from across the political spectrum to celebrate shared values in wildlife and habitat protection.
By: DNU staff