Steve Moyer (second from left), winner of the 2023 Jim Range Conservation Award winner, is joined by Scott Hed, 2021 Jim Range Award winner (on left), Benny Blanco, 2021 Jim Range Award winner (second from right) and Whitney Tilt, AFF Executive Director (on right).
The Jim Range Conservation Leadership Award is presented annually in recognition of exemplary efforts to advance the fisheries conservation and stewardship mission of AFFTA and the AFFTA Fisheries Fund. The award is named in honor of James "Jim" Range, a passionate champion of fish and wildlife who spent more than a decade as AFFTA's voice on Capitol Hill. A life-long sportsman, it was Range's bipartisan, cooperative style that made him as beloved as he was effective. Award seeks to recognize individuals in the AFFTA family who embody Jim Range’s commitment and passion on behalf of America’s fisheries and anglers.
2023 Jim Range Award: Steve Moyer, Trout Unlimited
For more than 30 years, TU’s Steve Moyer has been fighting for coldwater conservation. After earning a wildlife management degree from the University of Maine (1980) and a master’s degree in fisheries science from Virginia Tech in 1984, Steve headed to Washington DC. Following two years at the Sport Fishing Institute and another five as a fish and wildlife lobbyist with the National Wildlife Federation, Steve joined Trout Unlimited in 1992. He spent a few years as TU’s VP for conservation and oversaw volunteer operations along with serving as the director of government affairs. From 2009 to his retirement in 2023, Steve’s role as the head of Government Affairs thrust him into the heart of important issues, such as the Clean Water Act, Good Samaritan mining legislation, federal hatchery policy, and helped craft the National Fish Habitat Initiative.
For more on the conservation impact of Jim Range read Steve’s TU Blog “Reflecting on an honor named for a friend and fighter.”