Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame
The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was developed in 1998 by the Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have made significant contributions to Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage.
Recognition is given to individuals and organizations that have worked consistently over many years through political and individual leadership, volunteer service, the mass media, conservation efforts, or educational activities on behalf of Arizona’s natural resources.
Selections for induction are made each year by the board of directors of the Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation. Selections are made from a list of nominations that are submitted, including those submitted by members of the public.
Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame inducts five new members for 2009
 The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame class of 2009 inducted three individuals and two groups. The new inductees were honored Friday, Aug. 21, at the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation's Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. They are (left to right in photo):
The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club (accepting on behalf of the organization is President Jim Ammons). Started by a small local group in 1936, the club has expanded into a vibrant and energetic family organization of more than 300 members dedicated to supporting the enhancement and protection of wildlife, habitat, wildlife-dependent outdoors recreation, and public vehicular access on public lands. Since the 1960s, volunteers have taught hunter education and firearms safety to thousands of youth and adults. Club members also volunteer their time and efforts to numerous habitat improvement projects, conduct wildlife and outdoor recreation-related events, and are politically active.
Frances Werner. The first woman appointed to serve on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission (appointed by then-Governor Bruce Babbitt), Ms. Werner has long been a strong advocate for cooperation between governmental agencies, the public, and the various resource users, She has served on many boards and committees of wildlife and land management agencies, including Arizona Game and Fish, the Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona State Land Department.
Mesa Hunter Education Instructor Team (accepting on behalf of the organization is Chief Hunter Education Instructor Mike Zaccardi). Started in 1974, this program has been dedicated to meeting the hunter education needs of residents in the East Valley for 35 years. The program has been coordinated by a total of four chief instructors since that time and currently has 55 active instructors who graduate about 10 percent of all of the state’s hunter education graduates. Since 1996, the team has accumulated over 29,000 volunteer hours teaching hunter education to more than 5,400 students.
Dr. Robert Ohmart. During a long and distinguished career as a zoology professor at Arizona State University, Dr. Ohmart enthusiastically taught undergraduates and coached more than 40 graduate students in an array of studies ranging from raptors to tortoises and bighorns to burros, as well as the habitats they required. His pioneering work on restoring riparian vegetation along the lower Colorado River contributed significant insights into the complexity of Southwestern riparian systems.
Bill Post. Recently retired as Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (parent of APS), Mr. Post has dedicated his energy and ideas to making Arizona a better place to live. From establishing APS as a leader in clean, renewable energy, to supporting an initiative to re-introduce the condor back into Arizona, to ensuring his company’s wildlife protection, water management and forestry programs are among the best in the electric utility industry, Mr. Post consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his home state and its unique environment. In one of his most high-profile successes, APS in 2005 decommissioned the Childs and Irving hydroelectric power plants, opting to restore Fossil Creek to its natural water flow, thereby resurrecting a lush riparian area for a new generation of Arizonans.
About the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation
Wildlife for Tomorrow was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona's fish and wildlife resources. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate. For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org or call (623) 204-2130.
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