Sharon Lance, Centennial, Colo.

Lance was the driving force behind the creation of Colorado Trout Unlimited’s annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp and was instrumental in bringing TU’s Trout in the Classroom program to Colorado. As president of the Cutthroat Chapter, she also spearheaded the Cheesman Canyon Restoration Project—a six-year, $400,000 effort to rebuild a trail system along the South Platte, which both decreased erosion and increased access. The 5-mile stretch of river sees an estimated 25,000 anglers each year. “It’s owned by all of us,” Lance says of the river, “so we need to take care of it.”

Jerod Harman, Buckhannon, W.Va.

Harman became the West Virginia state conservation director for BASS in 2010 and has already accomplished a huge body of work. Recently, he led the installation of 150 spider blocks—a type of artificial habitat made from plastic pipes and poured concrete—in two different lakes to provide spawning areas for bass and other species. “It’s not so much an obligation for me,” says Harman. “It’s an honor to be able to go out and try to make a difference.”

Andrew Kramer, Burgettstown, Pa.

With help from fellow scouts and family members, Kramer was able to build and deploy 74 wood-duck houses in and around the Raccoon Creek Watershed as an Eagle Scout project. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has monitored their use for two years so far and has already noticed an increase in the population. “Seeing that effect so soon, it was really awesome,” Kramer says. “I felt like I accomplished something significant, and it’s a great feeling.”