Three years ago, we produced our first Conservation Impact Summary. The purpose was to “tell our story” beyond just the dollars directed to wild sheep conservation and other mission programs, but more importantly, to demonstrate and share the impact those dollars have.

While the dollars directed are impressive, more than $11.5 million directed to Mission Program Funding this fiscal year alone, and the second consecutive $11+ million year of doing so, the impact of those dollars are how we should judge our organizational mission effectiveness. Despite our and our chapter and affiliates noble and substantive efforts, wild sheep continue to face enormous challenges.

• Habitat Degradation 
• Disease
• Climate
• Predation
• Competition with Exotics
• Federal Grazing and Land Use Policy
• Supply and Demand

Some of these challenges we can address, yet some are beyond our control. In these pages of our fiscal year 2024-2025 Conservation Impact Summary, we highlight some of the twenty-three Grant-In-Aid projects funded as requested by and through our Chapters and Affiliates to help address these challenges. Our Chapters and Affiliates serve as our eyes and ears and boots on the ground to benefit wild sheep and the habitat they depend on. They are WSF’s tip of the spear.

These twenty-three projects make up $1.65 million of a total of $3.7 million in Grant In Aid, and a total of $4.66 million in fiscal year Mission Program Funding not including the $6.8 million we directed to state, provincial and tribal agency partners through the auction and raffle sales of conservation permits.

WSF is a family, a family made up of our members, chapters, affiliates, giving societies and major donors, exhibitors, auction donors and buyers. All play a part. The work WSF accomplished this past year and the $11.5 million we directed to the wild sheep resource, and to our education and outreach efforts is the legacy of these family members.

In closing and reflecting on the past year I’m reminded of the words of President Harry S. Truman:

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

We hope you enjoy this third Wild Sheep Foundation Conservation Impact Summary.

Yours in wild sheep and wildlife conservation,
Gray N. Thornton
President & CEO

Tags: Grant-in-Aid, Conservation