The Journal
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association presented Backcountry Hunters and Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney with the Jim Range Conservation Leadership Award at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in July.
This is the first year the award was given.
The Jim Range Conservation Leadership Award is given in recognition of a commitment to supporting access to healthy habitat, recreational opportunity and economic activity. A former chief counsel for Sen. Howard Baker, Range was the architect of a number of bedrock U.S. conservation laws, including the Clean Water Act, and co-founder of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Tawney’s selection as the 2018 Range Award honoree, said AFFTA President Ben Bulis, was an easy decision for the AFFTA board.
“Land has done a remarkable job in rallying a strong, national voice for our wild public lands and waters,” Bulis stated in a press release. “Keeping those resources in public hands plays an important role in ensuring our angling heritage and the industry it supports thrive for generations to come.”
Tawney has led the charge at BHA for five years, overseeing the young, active organization through a period of unprecedented growth and engaging a new generation of sportsmen and women in public lands advocacy. A former grassroots coordinator for TRCP and regional representative for NWF, the fifth-generation Montanan and lifelong hunter and angler has been a tireless champion for conservation for his entire professional career.
“To say that it is an honor to receive an award named for one of my mentors is an understatement,” said Tawney. “I’m humbled by this recognition.”
The Range Award is one of two leadership awards presented annually by AFFTA. Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures received the Lefty Kreh Industry Leadership Award, presented in recognition of exemplary efforts in furthering AFFTA’s mission to promote the sustained growth of the fly-fishing industry.