The ranch is where Roosevelt developed his staunch conservation ethic and vision. Rugged and scenic, the land was purchased from willing sellers, the Eberts family, and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 2007. It was a landmark success following a two-year campaign led by Boone and Crockett Club with critical partnership from the Elk Foundation.

"Roosevelt understood the power of influential partners unified by strong leadership. He was a master at selecting the right people in the right places at the right time to do the right thing. These principles remain a cornerstone of the Boone and Crockett Club. Our Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award is a special honor for a partner who best exemplifies this spirit," said Lowell E. Baier, president of the Boone and Crockett Club.

In the Elkhorn Ranch project, the Elk Foundation brought essential expertise in legal, promotional, and fundraising arenas, Baier said.

Andy Hoxsey, chairman of the board for the Elk Foundation, accepted the award. "Cooperative partnerships are definitely the future of conservation," said Hoxsey. "The Boone and Crockett Club has spent many decades developing key partners across state and federal governments, resource agencies, businesses, and organizations. To be selected from their long list of partners is truly an honor for the Elk Foundation."

David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO, added, "Any conservation organization would be honored and gratified to be mentioned alongside Theodore Roosevelt. There's not a more authoritative acknowledgement that, together, our volunteers, members, donors, and staff are an important resource for conservation today."