Ever since Field & Stream contributor Gifford Pinchot first popularized the term conservation ethic in 1907, the magazine has been committed to the preservation of our natural resources. In 2005, an article titled "Heroes of Conservation" focused on the local efforts of everyday outdoorsmen. Out of this, a new program was created to recognize sportsmen's efforts to protect fish and wildlife.

The magazine has profiled the conservation efforts of more than 150 men and women since introducing the Heroes of Conservation program in October 2005. In 2006, we honored Ronnie Luster as the first-ever Conservation Hero of the Year. In 2007, Brian Maguire, an elk hunter from Oregon, took the honors, followed by Hod Kosman of Nebraska in 2008, and Californian Howard Kern in 2009. In 2010, Gale Dupree, of Loyalton, Calif., became our 5th Hero of the Year and took home the Conservation Hero of the Year award along with a new Toyota 4Runner.