The Murie
Spirit of Conservation Awards
The Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards
The Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards is a celebration of conservation leadership. The Murie Ranch of Teton Science Schools honors individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the protection of wildlife and wild places. Each year, Teton Science Schools selects recipients for The Murie Spirit of Conservation Award and the Murie Spirit of Conservation Rising Leader Award. The Spirit of Conservation Award is awarded to a person whose life work demonstrates a commitment to conservation, civility and community. The Rising Leader Award is given to outstanding young professionals in the field of conservation.
2024 Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards
October 6th at 11:00 am - 3:00pm
The Murie Ranch
Join us in celebrating the Murie Spirit of Conservation honoring the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Wilderness Act and The Murie Legacy
Guests will have the opportunity to explore the Murie Ranch, enjoy live music, seasonal treats, and warm drinks, and engage in discussions about the importance of wilderness preservation. This free, fall-themed event is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Olaus and Mardy Murie, who played a pivotal role in the passage of the Wilderness Act, which created more than 50 protected wilderness areas, including the nearby Bridger Wilderness, Teton Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, and North Absaroka Wilderness.. Join us for a day of community connection and celebration in the crisp autumn air, surrounded by the beauty of the changing season.
Event Highlights:
- Exploration and Reflection: Take self-guided tours of the Murie Ranch and learn about the history of the Wilderness Act and the Muries’ role in its creation.
- Live Music, Food, and Fun: Enjoy live music, a variety of refreshments, and family-friendly activities as part of the fall celebration.
Admission to this event is FREE. Rain/warm layers are advised. Lawn chairs are optional. Parking is limited. We highly encourage you to park at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitors Center, which is a short walk to the Murie Ranch.
Previous Awardees
Have Included
- The Kingdom of Bhutan, dedication to environmental preservation
- Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, presides as the Bhutan Youth Development Fund, co-chair of the Bhutan Foundation
- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace
- Juan Martinez-Pineda, Senior Manager at The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions
- Rose Marcario, Board Member, Advisor, and Former CEO of Patagonia, Inc.
- Robert Stanton, first African American to be appointed as Director of the National Park Service, serving from 1997-2001.
- Jimmy Chin, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, National Geographic photographer and mountain sports athlete.
- Bert Raynes, local conservation and wildlife advocate.
- Sally Jewell, Former US Secretary of the Interior under the Obama Administration.
- Harrison Ford, Actor and Vice-Chair of Conservation International, a global nonprofit dedicated to building a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.
- John Turner, a Jackson Hole native, conservationist and devotee of Olaus and Mardy Murie. Notably, former President of the Wyoming State Senate, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
- Luther Propst, Founder of The Sonoran Institute, conservation leader in policy and projects focused on core issues (sustainable water, land use, community development) that define how the West is growing and changing.
- Gretchen Long, founding board member of The Murie Center of Teton Science Schools, current board member of The National Park Advisory Board (among many others, former and current), and committed advocate for conserving America’s treasured parks and wilderness areas.
- Dr. George Schaller and Dr. Robert Krear, esteemed field biologists and global conservationists who traveled with the Muries on their 1956 Sheenjek Expedition that set in motion the effort to protect what is now the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Addie Donnan, community leader in Jackson Hole and founding chair of The Murie Center and Teton Science Schools emeritus board member.
Keynote speakers and guest presenters have included former President of The Wilderness Society Bill Meadows; The Honorable Margaret M. McKeown, a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, who contributed a video introduction to our first awards dinner in 2011.
