Commission Awards

2025 Awards Recipients and Banquet Details

Commission awards banquet set for Jan. 17, 2026

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission announced the recipients of the 2025 Commission Awards at its Sept. 5 meeting in Eagar, Ariz. The awards recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state’s wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

This year’s recipients are:

• Award of Excellence – Ed Sanchez and David Fernandez
• Youth Conservationist of the Year – Matthew Hong
• Media of the Year – Mike Russell
• Conservation Organization of the Year – Tom Hannagan, Desert Fence Busters
• Conservationist of the Year – Chuck Podolak
• Natural Resource Professional of the Year – Elvy Barton
• Volunteer of the Year – Cosimo Ingrande
• Educator of the Year – Vatsal Chikani
• Mentor of the Year – Jonathan Ochoa
• State Advocate of the Year – Senator T.J. Shope
• Business Partner of the Year – Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club
• Buck Appleby Hunter Education Instructor of the Year – Michael Zaccardi
• Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year – Gail Steiger of the Spider Ranch
• North American Model Commissioner’s Award – Anne Justice Allen

The awards will be presented at the annual Commission Awards Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Highland Plaza, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020. The banquet will begin with a social hour at 4 p.m. followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the awards program starting at 6 p.m. The cost is $90 per person. 

Sponsorships are available. Sponsors receive logo placement in the event program and on-screen presentation, recognition on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website (which receives more than 1 million views annually), and exposure to an influential audience of conservation leaders, outdoor recreation supporters and state decision-makers. Your sponsorship not only helps celebrate Arizona’s conservationists but also ensures that this important event is possible, as all banquet costs are covered through ticket sales and sponsor contributions.

2025 Award Categories 

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Any individual, group, organization, club, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife, wildlife habitats, or programs of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR: Any individual, 18 years of age or younger, who has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

MEDIA OF THE YEAR: Any media source (radio, television, magazine, newsletter, or periodical) that has published articles or materials beneficial to public interest about wildlife or wildlife related topics and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Any organization, group, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to enhance the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, and the mission of the Game and Fish Department. 

CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR: Any individual, not associated with a professional agency, which has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats. 

NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Any individual who through a professional agency affiliation has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats. 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Any individual who, as a registered volunteer with the Department, has excelled in efforts to support and benefit the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR: Any individual whose educational activities have advanced and supported the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, or the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

MENTOR OF THE YEAR: Any individual who has acted in the role of a mentor and whose efforts have resulted in the promotion and support of future wildlife conservation efforts and the development of future wildlife conservation leaders in Arizona. 

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR (Two Nominations): Any individual that has engaged in political advocacy for the betterment of wildlife conservation and in the support of the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Any business partner that actively promotes Game and Fish through innovative approaches, community involvement and a customer service focus that benefits the citizens of Arizona and supports the Game and Fish’s mission of wildlife conservation. 

BUCK APPLEBY HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Any hunter education instructor who actively participates in hunter education activities and demonstrates the highest level of customer service, dedication and professionalism during these activities. Award category recently approved by the AZGFD Commission in honor of Buck Appleby, a long time hunter education instructor who passed away in 2010. 

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission held its first awards banquet on Jan. 12, 1991. Since then, nearly more than 400 recipients have been recognized with Commission awards.  The awards banquet gives the Commission an opportunity to recognize individuals, groups and organizations for their contributions to Arizona’s wildlife resources.

Past Award Recipients

• 1991 – 2024