Ken and Jill Wilkinson have been named the 2024 recipients of the Wayne E. Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award, an honor given to individuals or organizations for notable contributions to the conservation, management, or enhancement of Nevada’s wildlife.
The Wilkinsons, long-time volunteers with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), have consistently supported wildlife initiatives through NDOW’s volunteer program. In 2024, they logged 34 hours of service, focusing on the upkeep of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and allowing their property to be used for NDOW’s urban quail trapping and relocation project.
Outdoor recreation is important to Ken and Jill Wilkinson, who have worked extensively to maintain Nevada’s WMAs. These areas are publicly accessible and serve multiple uses. The Wilkinsons created maintenance plans for Franklin Lake and Humboldt WMAs, collaborated with NDOW biologists to improve them, and implemented these plans. Because these WMAs do not have full-time staff, their work in maintenance, weed control, and waterfowl reporting has been vital in keeping the areas healthy and available to the public.
The Wilkinsons have also played a significant role in NDOW’s urban quail trapping and relocation project in Elko since its inception. Each season, they spend weeks attracting quail to their property before working with NDOW staff to trap and relocate the birds to more suitable habitats.
“Ken and Jill exemplify the spirit of conservation and volunteerism, and NDOW depends on volunteers like them to accomplish many aspects of our mission,” said their nominator. “They don’t think twice about all the time and resources that they contribute; all of their contributions are appreciated and important in meeting wildlife conservation goals.”
The Kirch Award winner is chosen each year by a panel that includes two wildlife commissioners, Marlene Kirch (daughter of Wayne E. Kirch), NDOW staff assigned to the Kirch Award Committee, and four members from County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife or other outdoor organizations.
The award is named in memory of Wayne E. Kirch, who served for 25 years on the Nevada Fish and Game Commission—the longest tenure in its history. Kirch passed away in 1989, and his commitment to conservation is remembered through this annual award.