RESTON, Va. — Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jeff Crane has received the National Wildlife Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long commitment to advancing wildlife conservation, protecting America’s hunting and angling traditions, and building partnerships that strengthen the conservation movement nationwide.

“Few conservation leaders have done more to unite hunters and anglers, wildlife advocates, and policymakers around a shared vision for America’s outdoor heritage than Jeff Crane,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Throughout his two decades at the helm of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Jeff has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, strategic vision, and an unwavering bipartisan commitment to conservation. From his instrumental role in securing the historic Great American Outdoors Act and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to building bridges across the entire conservation community to pass the John Dingell Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and numerous other legislative advances for hunters and anglers, his legacy embodies the spirit of “Ding” Darling and the unwavering belief that conservation succeeds when people of all backgrounds come together in common cause.”

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition,” Crane said. “I have been fortunate throughout my career to work alongside such dedicated professionals and outdoor advocates committed to protecting our nation’s wildlife, habitats, public lands, and outdoor traditions. That shared purpose has always guided my work, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to support those efforts. Conservation is a long-term commitment, built on collaboration and a shared sense of responsibility, and I am proud to have contributed to that enduring mission.”

As leader of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Crane became one of the National Wildlife Federation’s closest conservation partners helping to forge relationships between traditional sportsmen and women and the broader conservation community. He played a pivotal role in bringing the Federation into the American Wildlife Conservation Partners coalition and fostering collaboration with state affiliates across the country.

Together, these partnerships helped advance passage of foundational policies like the Great American Outdoors Act; the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act; the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act; and the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Act. As a steadfast advocate for America’s public lands, Crane also led efforts to advance Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which remains a top legislative priority for both organizations.

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.