On Thursday, September 24, Teton Science Schools will gather at the Murie Ranch to celebrate two leaders whose work has made a lasting impact on conservation, education, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
The 16th Annual Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards will honor Nancy H. Shea, Ph.D., with the 2026 Murie Spirit of Conservation Award and Arthur Middleton, Ph.D., with the 2026 Local Legend Award.
The evening is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required because space is limited.
Honoring Nancy H. Shea, Ph.D.
Nancy Shea is the founding dean of the Teton Science Schools Graduate Program and founding director of The Murie Center. An experienced environmental nonprofit leader and educator, she also founded Tetons True Nature to continue her commitment to environmental ethics.
Through her leadership, Shea has helped prepare generations of educators and conservation leaders to create meaningful connections between people, communities, and the natural world.
Honoring Arthur Middleton, Ph.D.
Arthur Middleton is the G.R. and W.M. Goertz Professor of Wildlife Management at the University of California, Berkeley, where he co-directs the Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship.
His research focuses on wildlife migration and human-wildlife coexistence across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the American West, helping deepen our understanding of wide-ranging wildlife and the landscapes they depend on.
“Nancy and Arthur have each made extraordinary contributions to conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond,” said Wayne Turner, executive director of Teton Science Schools. “Nancy’s leadership has shaped generations of educators and conservation leaders, while Arthur’s research has deepened our understanding of wildlife and the landscapes that sustain it. It is especially meaningful to honor them at the Murie Ranch, where the Murie legacy reminds us that lasting conservation depends on science, education, collaboration, and community.”
Celebrating a Legacy of Conservation
The Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places.
The Murie Spirit of Conservation Award honors a life’s work grounded in conservation, civility, and community, while the Local Legend Award recognizes extraordinary contributions to conservation within the region.
The 2025 awards honored the Honorable Rob Wallace, former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, with the Murie Spirit of Conservation Award and Amy Brennan McCarthy, chief executive officer of Teton Raptor Center, with the Local Legend Award.
We look forward to continuing this tradition by gathering at The Murie Ranch to celebrate Shea and Middleton and the many ways their work carries the Murie legacy forward.
Event Details
Thursday, September 24, 2026
5–7 p.m.
The Murie Ranch
Moose, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park
Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. The evening is intended for adult guests, and elevated mountain-town attire is encouraged.
The event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP to attend.