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Robert L. Patterson Award

Presented by the WAFWA  Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Technical Committee to recognize outstanding contibutions to conservation of sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse.

The Robert L. Patterson Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have worked to conserve and manage Gunnison and Greater Sage-grouse and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. This award was established in honor of Dr. Patterson’s strong commitment to the conservation of sagegrouse and his pioneering work, The Sage Grouse in Wyoming, published in 1952. It is intended to be awarded biennially at the Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop.

The Robert L. Patterson Award
The Robert L. Patterson Award. From left to right: Dr. Jim Sedinger, U. Nevada Reno, emeritus, 2018 Patterson Award winner; Dr. Phillip Street, U. Nevada Reno, young professional award; Tom Christiansen, Wyoming Game and Fish Department (retired), 2018 Patterson Award winner.

Award Recipients:

  • 2021 – Peter S. Coates and Shawn P. Espinosa
  • 2018 – James S. Sedinger, awarded at the meeting in Billings, Montana
  • 2018 – Thomas J. Christiansen, awarded at the meeting in Billings, Montana
  • 2016 – Patricia A. Deibert, awarded at the meeting in Lander, Wyoming
  • 2016 – Steven T. Knick, awarded at the meeting in Lander, Wyoming
  • 2014 – Clinton McCarthy, awarded at the meeting in Elko, Nevada
  • 2014 – Kerry P. Reese, awarded at the meeting in Elko, Nevada
  • 2012 – San Juan Stiver, awarded at the meeting in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
  • 2012 – Michael Schroeder, awarded at the meeting in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
  • 2010 – Randall B. Smith, awarded at the meeting in Twin Falls, Idaho
  • 2010 – John W. Connelly, Jr., awarded at the meeting in Twin Falls, Idaho
  • 2008 – Clait E. Braun, awarded at the meeting in Mammoth, California

Nominations

Award Criteria:
To recognize individual(s) and organization(s) who have made significant contributions to sage and sharp-tailed grouse research, management or other support programs, which have enhanced the welfare of any of these three species. The contribution should be evidenced by a sustained effort over at least 10 years. The contribution may be related to research, management activity, promotion of an integrated program, or some combination thereof.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee will be made up of a chairman and any additional members appointed by the Chairman of the Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Technical Committee. Anyone can submit nominations to the Awards Committee, including members of the Awards Committee. Nominations will be submitted to the Awards Committee Chairman at least one month prior to the biennial Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop. A maximum of two individual awards and two organization awards may be awarded at a biennial meeting.

Nominations should include the following information:
A. Name, address, and phone number of nominee.
B. Biographic sketch of individual or brief history of an organization.
C. Overview of contributions indicating the nature of the contributions, duration, benefit to the species, and the geographic area influenced by the contributions.

Deadline for nominations is July 1, 2022

See the 2022 Workshop Page for Nomination Instructions.

Please visit the Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop for current nomination announcements.


By Robert L. Patterson

The Sage Grouse in Wyoming

First published in 1952 The Sage Grouse in Wyoming was a seminal work, the first comprehensive study of the several species of western grouse. The author, Robert L. Patterson led the study from 1948 – 1952. This comprehensive treatise includes the first complete study of the natural history of the sage grouse, initially described by Lewis and Clark in 1806.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I presents an overall view of the physical and biotic environment, diseases, parasites and other factors influencing population density. Part II is devoted to natural history and Part III is devoted to the influence of man’s activities on population density.

ISBN-13: 978-1932846317 ISBN-10: 193284631X

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Related Initiative

Sagebrush Conservation Initiative