2025 Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards
This year, Nate Rees, our lead Trout Unlimited staffer in Arizona, received the coveted Conservationist of the Year award. The recognition was very well-deserved. Nate has worked hard for not only TU but his leadership can be felt across water conservation efforts throughout the state.
Nate’s an experienced professional in public lands coordination and conservation, currently serving as the Arizona Public Lands Coordinator for TU since December 2016. In this role, he has effectively navigated Arizona’s political landscape, advocating for federal and state legislation and successfully defeating several land-grabbing bills. Prior to this, Nate was a Wyss Fellowship intern at the Wyss Foundation, where his training enhanced campaign strategies and networking skills. Nate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Sustainability
from Arizona State University.
But behind Nate at TU in AZ is a cadre of dedicated volunteers and board members who help make things happen on the water and at the capitol. Here’s a rundown of the behind-the-scenes talent we have on our TU team.
Our state chair (AZTU Council) and chapter president (Zane Grey TU) , Alan Davis seems to be everywhere at once. We continue to marvel at how he keeps all the plates spinning at once. His leadership and managerial skills are well-respected on both the local and national levels.
Tom Osterday founded our influential Public Policy Committee (PPC) in early 2018 and served as its chair through September 30, 2022. His leadership created the foundation for the ongoing activities of the AZTU-PPC. Ron Stearns, our current public policy chair works with Nate and the legislative policy makers to ensure TU has a seat at the table when it comes to both state and national conservation initiatives. Tom Goodwin represents Arizona on TU’s National Leadership Council and currently serves as our membership chair. Susan Geer, our longtime marketing mentor, website administrator, Diversity maven, and AZTU and Zane Grey board member became a member of Trout Unlimited’s National Board of Trustees.
Jim Walker, our senior statesman and brain trust for the popular Trout in the Classroom project has won numerous national and local awards including being inducted last fall into the Wildlife for Tomorrow’s Outdoor Hall of Fame. That was a big deal. Jim has been an active TU volunteer since 1989 and has held a series of high-level national leadership positions since 2009. A member of the Board of Trustees since 2013, he has most recently served as the chairman of TU’s National Leadership Council since 2018.
