RESTON, Va. — The National Wildlife Federation honored Conservation Northwest with its Affiliate of the Year Award. Representing more than 4,000 dues-paying members in Washington, Conservation Northwest works across urban and rural communities from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies to connect landscapes, restore iconic wildlife and protect the nation’s natural heritage for future generations.

“Whether it is forest preservation, citizen monitoring efforts or wildlife reintroduction, Conservation Northwest has engaged the state government, tribal partners, ranchers, rural communities and more in a common pursuit of conservation,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “In the past year, their achievements – including raising $4.7 million to purchase 9,000 acres of crucial wildlife corridors and returning the land back to the stewardship of the Colville Tribes – demonstrate the effectiveness of authentic partnerships and coalition building. Under the tremendous leadership of Mitch Friedman, Conservation Northwest is a true national model for implementing innovative solutions and collaborative conservation in support of wildlife and people.”

“We at Conservation Northwest are proud of the year we had and honored to receive this recognition from the Federation family,” said Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest. “We see our colleagues as vital partners in protecting our wildlands and wildlife.”

Using bold, innovative and effective strategies, Conservation Northwest has protected hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlands, supported the recovery of threatened species from wolves to fishers, and touched thousands of lives throughout the greater Northwest. Regional elected leaders, government agencies, and conservationists know them for being science-based and tenacious, yet pragmatic.

The National Wildlife Federation presented the award at its annual meeting. The National Conservation Affiliate of the Year Award honors an affiliate organization for its conservation accomplishments and contributions to collaborative efforts across the Federation.

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.