The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) congratulates one of its own, Dr. Ryan Brock, for being selected as Nevada’s Outdoor Teacher of the Year. Dr. Brock is the WSF Youth Education Program Coordinator.
For more than two decades, Brock taught at Jessie Beck Elementary School in Reno, connecting Nevada students with the outdoors through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prioritize time outside the traditional classroom and in nature. His commitment to outdoor education has provided thousands of students with opportunities to explore wildlife, ecosystems, and wild places across Nevada and far beyond.
“He’s a machine,” commented Gray N. Thornton, WSF President and CEO. “His passion for kids and their families, teaching, conservation, the outdoors, and wildlife drives him, and it shows every day. We see his commitment in his work, which has single-handedly advanced our education programs. Thank you to Nevada’s Outdoor Education Council for seeing it too and giving him this well-deserved recognition.”
Brock joined WSF part-time in 2012 and joined the staff full-time this past August after his retirement from Nevada schools. His work inspiring the next generation of conservationists includes hands-on classes and instruction in wildlife biology and identification, the shooting sports, fishing, outdoor skills, and arranging trips to take kids and their families hunting, fishing, and camping.
“I love seeing kids connect with the outdoors,” Brock explained. “Every child makes that connection in a slightly different way, and helping spark that interest—whether it’s through wildlife, fishing, hunting, or simply exploring the natural world—is what makes this work so rewarding. You never know what experience might inspire a lifelong passion for the outdoors or conservation. I’m incredibly honored to be selected as Nevada’s inaugural Outdoor Teacher of the Year and grateful for the opportunity to continue inspiring the next generation.”
Brock’s lives in Reno, which has been home to the Foundation’s annual Sheep Show Convention and Expo for the past several decades. During this event, Brock helped establish the Foundation’s Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE). During the Convention, local home- and public-school students are bused to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for a free private, in-depth outdoor learning experience. Youth learn about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, wild sheep conservation efforts, and the importance of responsible wildlife management. They also have the unique opportunity to listen in on seminars talking about careers in the outdoors, hopefully sparking an interest in entering this vital field of work in the future. Designed to excite and inspire, over 40 interactive stations are open for kids to explore their outdoor passions.
In addition to YWCE, Brock hosts S.H.E.E.P (Shooting, Hunting, and Ethics Education Programs) for youth year-round. Over the years, this program has impacted the lives of over 173,600 youth. Since 2012, close to 23,500 youth have attended YWCE at the Sheep Show®.
“If you know Ryan, he’s not in it for any Awards,” Thornton added. “That’s what teaching is all about. Thank you, Ryan, for all you do and congratulations.”
Tags: Youth, Press Release