The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust awarded Bob Budd the fifth annual Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award at our annual Roundup Barbeque Saturday, August 25 in Big Piney. Bob Budd is the Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, a program established to enhance wildlife habitats and the natural resource heritage of Wyoming. Prior to helping launch the WWNRT program, Budd was manager of Red Canyon Ranch, and Director of Land Management for The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming.
His work there was credited with developing and maintaining large-scale ecological process while maintaining economic production on a working cattle ranch. Before his tenure with TNC, Bob spent 15 years with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, ten of those years as Executive Director. Bob has a Master of Science degree in Range Management, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Agricultural Business and Animal Science, all from the University of Wyoming. He is also trained in Holistic Resource Management and is a Certified Professional in Rangeland Management. He is a past-president of the International Society for Range Management and the Wyoming Chapter of the Wildlife Society. He has facilitated development of management plans for the Big Sandy River, Sage-grouse, and Bighorn sheep in Wyoming. Bob and his wife, Lynn, have three children, all in college. In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Bob is an active volunteer in many community organizations, including Cheyenne Frontier Days. The Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award is named for the late Dr. Kurt Bucholz DVM, one of the Stock Growers Land Trust’s early supporters who, along with his wife Laura, ranched in Carbon County. For many years Dr. Bucholz devoted countless hours to his county and state. He demonstrated a keen understanding of state and local water issues, and was adamant about protecting the upper North Platte Valley’s vital and historic water rights. A rare cancer claimed Kurt’s life in December 2006. The Stock Growers Land Trust and Laura Bucholz created the Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award in 2008 to be presented annually to an individual who exemplifies Kurt’s conservation values, particularly those that center on protecting and nourishing Wyoming’s working ranches. The Bucholz award honoree receives a bronze statue sculpted by Wyoming artist Jerry Palen that depicts the Stock Growers Land Trust horse and rider logo. Past recipients are Jim Chant, Joe Glode, Dennis Sun, and Dr. John Lunt.
“It is an unbelievable honor to receive this award in the place where I learned my conservation ethic and my love for agriculture.” said Bob in his remarks to our friends and supporters. “We could not have selected a better person at a better time and place than Bob Budd at his family’s home place. Kurt would be delighted.” Laura Bucholz 