Wilson named conservation award recipient

The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) recently announced that Jim Wilson will be the recipient of the 2017 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award.

Wilson was born and raised in Thermopolis, leaving for only a couple years to attend Panhandle State College in Goodwill, Okla.

He continues to live in Thermopolis, where he ranches with his wife Teri. The Wilsons are known for their practical and progressive agricultural practices and management techniques. The couple has led the way in the conservation of the Greater Sage Grouse, elk, deer and antelope in the Thermopolis area.

Additionally, Wilson previously served as president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) and played a key role in building a strong relationship between WSGLT and WSGA. Wilson said he “didn’t have a clue” that he was selected to receive the award, and said about Bucholz’s legacy, “Kurt Bucholz was a great visionary in water and land conservation. It’s a great honor to be selected for this award. The other recipients are very notable and it’s an honor to be included among them.”

Wilson has also been an active participant in watershed projects, most notably the Kirby Creek Watershed Project. The project focused on the sustainability of approximately 128,500 acres of grasslands and valley in Hot Springs County according to the management plan that was submitted to the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts.

Wilson noted Bucholz was very active in agriculture and the Legislature, and did a lot with water and land. While not active in the Legislature, Wilson said he works quite a bit with water and land. “I’m living my dream,” he said.

The Bucholz Conservation Award is given in memory of the late Dr. Kurt Bucholz DVM, rancher from Carbon County, and early supporter of the WSGLT. The Bucholz Award winner encompasses the values and stewardship goals that Kurt exemplified in his life. Kurt had a unique understanding of water and land issues and worked to protect the historic water rights that are fundamental to the North Platte Valley.

Jim will be presented with a bronze statue sculpted by the talented Wyoming artist, Jerry Palen at WSGLT’s 16th Annual Barbeque at the Elk Mountain Ranch outside of Elk Mountain on Aug. 26. Wilson will be attending with his wife, his daughter and her husband, and granddaughter. Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting http://www.WSGALT.org/Events, or by calling 307-772-8751.