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Isobel Lingenfelter, Skyler Nix Honored with National Young Leader Awards

RESTON, Va. —  The National Wildlife Federation awarded Isobel Lingenfelter of the Utah Wildlife Federation and Skyler Nix of the Texas Conservation Alliance with its annual Young Leader Awards. The award is given to young conservation leaders who have demonstrated outstanding early-career achievements in protecting wildlife.

“Isobel’s enthusiastic approach to public engagement is placing Utah on the leading edge of migration corridor restoration and recovery of at-risk wildlife populations – and she’s providing an outstanding model for how to build authentic partnerships,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Her tireless energy and innovation have led to massive wins for wildlife, and her leadership has helped the Utah Wildlife Federation grow from its start-up roots into a powerful and impactful affiliate.”

In her role as the Utah Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator, Lingenfelter has been instrumental in building and growing NWF’s newest affiliate. Her relentless advocacy led the state legislature to commit $22 million for the creation of wildlife crossings to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Her other recent achievements include convening and facilitating Utah’s Wildlife Connectivity Working Group and organizing a Utah Wildlife Summit.

“Our communities’ wellbeing is deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of our wildlife and lands,” Lingenfelter said. “Improving wildlife connectivity can have such far-reaching impacts for people and ecosystems, and it’s a privilege to work on these issues alongside extremely dedicated tribal, local, and regional partners.”

“Skyler’s drive and initiative demonstrate leadership, ideation and action that empowers countless people to engage with the science and policy solutions that help wildlife thrive,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “By bringing people together into his efforts to protect migrating birds, Skyler has inspired countless others to join the conservation movement — amplifying his impact in his own community and beyond.”

Nix, a senior at Texas A&M and Yale Conservation Scholar, has led community-driven conservation efforts through his roles as a Lead Naturalist and Wildlife-Saving Campaign Chair at the Houston Zoo and as a Program Coordinator with the Texas Conservation Alliance. Most recently, he founded the Lights Out, College Station! program as part of a statewide campaign to protect birds traveling through Texas’ crucial migration corridors. He now spearheads the ongoing research, community engagement, and advocacy efforts to protect birds on one of the nation’s largest college campuses. As a member of City of College Station’s Conservation Advisory Group, Nix also supported the City’s successful pursuit of the Bird City Texas designation, awarded in January.

“Birds are often key indicator species of environmental health — when they’re in trouble, it’s a clear sign that our ecosystems and communities are, too,” Nix said. “This work is about more than saving birds, though. It’s about fostering a culture of stewardship and shared responsibility for our natural world. I’m proud to be a part of a community that is stepping up to protect our wildlife and wild places.”

The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Awards began in 1966. Since then, the National Wildlife Federation has celebrated individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife through education, advocacy, communication and on-the-ground conservation. Previous honorees have included former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Michelle Obama, and other national leaders, including U.S. Senator John McCain and filmmaker Robert Redford. 

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