A life-long outdoorsman, Jim Range was happiest with a fl y rod in his hand or a sharp tailed grouse in his sights. A passionate advocate for fish and wildlife and their habitats, Jim was instrumental in the conservation and protection of wild areas across America. At the time of his passing, Jim was senior policy advisor for the law fi rm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz and chairman of the board of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, an organization he co-founded in 2002. He is perhaps best known as long-time advisor to former Senator Majority Leader Howard Baker and for serving as minority council to the US Senate’s Committee on the Environment and Public Works. A “legislative cowboy,” he was recognized for his ability to work both sides of the aisle. Many of Jim’s contributions to natural resource law are well known, including his instrumental role in crafting and passing landmark laws such as the Clean Water Act. Jim received the Department of Interior’s Great Blue Heron Award in 2003—the highest honor given to an individual by the Department. Jim was fond of saying about Washington, “It’s amazing what you can get done when you don’t care who gets the credit.” In his wake, Jim leaves behind countless waves of dedicated conservation soldiers who carry on his passion for conservation.



Anni Ince-McKillop, friend of Jim Range, accepting the 2010 Conservation Award for Special Achievement on Jim's behalf with Craig Thompson (left) and Larry Schweiger (right).

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE FEDERATION (NCWF) has been a close partner of National Wildlife Federation for many decades and is a strong advocate for conservation throughout the state and a powerful sustainer of hunting and angling traditions. Working with National Wildlife Federation, NCWF has spearheaded climate change outreach in North Carolina to educate members, the public at large, fellow conservation organizations, and the state’s Congressional delegation on the need to address climate change and the consequences of not acting. NCWF lobbied successfully to protect farms and forest lands by giving a property tax break to landowners who use these lands for conservation and wildlife habitats. NCWF and NWF joined forces to establish a unique wildlife habitat joint certifi cation opportunity in North Carolina. NCWF helped halt the U.S. Navy’s plan to build an outlying landing fi eld adjacent to an important fall and winter sanctuary for over 100,000 migratory waterfowl. North Carolina’s “Camo Coalition,” a statewide electronic network, allows sportsmen and women to act quickly on issues that aff ect hunting, fi shing and conservation on the local, state and national level—a cohesive system that helps them get things done throughout the state. NCWF is building a statewide chapter network of NCWF members in local communities. These programs and initiatives demonstrate NCWF’s impressive commitment to growing its influence and capabilities to protect wildlife and habitat.