
A Field & Stream Hero of Conservation is someone who spends his or her own time working to create, improve, or restore fish and wildlife or habitat. A Hero is dedicated to the spirit of conservation volunteerism and stands out among other volunteers. Some heroes are members of conservation organizations involved with dedicated efforts to benefit a particular species or area. Others are simply individuals who take it upon themselves to improve habitat where they live. No project is too small, but the public should be able to benefit from the endeavor, and there should be a clear tie to hunting and/or fishing. If you know of a potential Hero or are one yourself, tell us by completing a nomination form.

2012 marks the seventh year of our annual Heroes of Conservation program. In October, David Ramsey of Unicoi, Tennessee, took top honors as the 2011 Conservation Hero of the Year for his work protecting the critical Appalachian habitat of the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork Watershed. Who will win this year and drive away with a new Toyota Tundra? Stay tuned for more information - including videos - of this year's finalists. You'll be able to watch them right here at fieldandstream.com/heroes. For the 2011/2012 year, we're looking for nominations of an individual or professional who is involved in a conservation effort. No project is too small, but it must be hunting or fishing related, well under-way or completed. If you or someone you know is working on a conservation project, we want to reward those efforts. All nominees are eligible for the grand prize and runner up prizes, which will be announced in October 2012.

From defending at-risk habitat and wildlife food sources to creating opportunities for youths to enjoy the outdoors, these Heroes are taking action. Listen to their stories, and check back for a new video every week until October.

by Bob Marshall

Fish, wildlife and sportsmen got good news Friday when Tom Vilsack, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, announced recent and future sign-ups of 5.65 million acres in the Conservation Reserve Program, keeping that keystone conservation program close to its current authorized cap of 32 million acres.
But in an interview with Field & Stream, Vilsack also urged sportsmen to keep the momentum going by urging their congressmen - particularly House members - not to swing the budget axe on conservation funding in the new Farm Bill currently under consideration.