Sheridan Chapter of NSDAR Presents National Conservation Award to SCLT

The Sheridan Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has selected Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) to receive a National Conservation Award, recognizing the organization’s longstanding commitment to conservation, stewardship, and public education in Sheridan County. Members of the Sheridan Chapter formally presented the award to SCLT at their December meeting.

The nomination was submitted by Sheridan Chapter’s Pat Trout, who also serves as the DAR Wyoming State Conservation Committee Chair. In the chapter’s nomination, Pat emphasized the depth and evolution of SCLT’s work over nearly two decades, writing that SCLT “has been a presence in our community for 19 years, recently establishing the Big Goose Natural Area, a community ‘park’ for conservation, history, and recreation.”

The NSDAR Conservation Award, administered by the DAR Conservation Committee and established in 1909, honors outstanding conservation efforts by individuals and organizations nationwide. Award criteria include excellence in park establishment, resource management, wildlife and nature centers, conservation education, youth leadership, and conservation-related media.

Recently, the Sheridan Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) presented the NSDAR National Conservation Award to the Sheridan Community Land Trust. The award honored SCLT’s work to protect and steward local lands for nearly 20 years and the recently established Big Goose Natural Area as a community park for conservation, history, and recreation. Pictured (l-r): Lindsey Taylor Groves, NSDAR Wyoming State Regent; Kevin Knapp, SCLT History Program Manager; Brad Bauer, SCLT Executive Director; John Graves, SCLT Director of Conservation and Resource Management; and Pat Trout, NSDAR Sheridan Chapter member and NSDAR Wyoming State Conservation Committee Chair.
NSDAR Wyoming State Regent Lindsey Taylor Groves pins the NSDAR National Conservation Award medal on SCLT Executive Director Brad Bauer at an award ceremony held during a recent NSDAR Sheridan Chapter meeting.
Members of the Sheridan Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Front Row (l-r): Cynde Georgen, Cathy Kelly Stafford, NSDAR Wyoming State Regent Lindsey Taylor Groves, NSDAR Sheridan Chapter Regent Daphne Weitzel, Susan Ottema, and Autumn Port. Back Row (l-r): Shelly King, Lorrie Ledgerwood, Pat Trout, Judith Garber, Nancy Marchese, Katie Araas, Sue Reed, Elaine Williamson, Mary Ann Bledsoe, and Viann Willits.

In her nomination, Pat cited SCLT’s accomplishments in land protection and stewardship, noting that the organization has “established over 5,200 acres in conservation easements with 6,000 additional acres in progress. Fifteen family farms and ranches are conserved forever, as well as 13.4 miles of rivers, creeks, and streams.” She also referenced SCLT’s work preserving local history, expanding community trails, offering outdoor education, and implementing land stewardship strategies “to reduce erosion as well as wildlife-friendly fencing and virtual fence.”

Reflecting on her long view of SCLT’s work, Pat wrote, “As I’ve always been active in conservation, I’ve watched the growth of SCLT with great interest.” She concluded, “It was my feeling that SCLT was totally deserving of the National Conservation Award, meeting every criterion.”

For more information:

Explore the history and mission of the Sheridan Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution at https://wydar.org/about/sheridan/.