SHERIDAN — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recognized some of its top partners and employees of 2025 during the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s July meeting in Sheridan.
The department honored the Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation with its Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Award. Black Hills Energy was the recipient of the Game and Fish’s Industry Wildlife Stewardship Award.
Maria Davidson, large carnivore program manager for SCIF, has been instrumental in wildlife conservation efforts in Wyoming, which includes coordination and funding of spring and fall bear training programs and bear safety training for those who recreate where grizzly bears are present.
As far as Game and Fish awards, the Team of the Year honor went to the Casper Region aquatic invasive species team for their ongoing efforts to keep AIS out of Wyoming waters. Thanks to information from a boat dock owner, the team prevented more than 500,000 live zebra mussels from entering the state after the mussels were found on an out-of-state boat lift that was destined for Alcova Reservoir. Members of the team include Eric Hansen, Michael Keller and Brookelynn Jenkins.
Other individual Game and Fish awards went to:
— David Williams, engineering project manager, Services Division Employee of the Year.
— Mike Boyce, large carnivore biologist, Jackson Region, Wildlife Division Employee of the Year.
— Jennifer Charley, budget manager, Fiscal Division Employee of the Year.
— Luke Schultz, aquatic habitat biologist, Pinedale Region, Fish Division Employee of the Year.
— Emalee Smith, marketing/media specialist, Communications and Education Division Employee of the Year.
— Dan Thompson, large carnivore biologist, Lander Region, Outstanding Leadership Award.
— Christine Henkel, habitat protection biologist, Director’s Office Award.
— Paul Dey, aquatic habitat manager, Director’s Award.
— Jerry Altermatt, terrestrial habitat biologist, Cody Region, Lifetime Achievement Award.
-WGFD-
