Barlows Honored with Conservation Award

by Nancy Debevoise

The late Bill Barlow, his wife Bernie and their children, Michele and Erik, were honored as "2002 Land Managers of the Year" at the Wyoming Wildlife Federation's annual awards banquet in May.

Bill and Bernie helped launch the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) in the 1970s, and have been active members of numerous local and national conservation groups, including WOC.

The award citation reads, in part:

"The Barlows'... land-management ethic has always been geared toward the long-term health of the landscape, and they have paid close attention through the years to maintaining and improving wildlife habitat on their lands.

"When the specter of coalbed methane (CBM) development in the Powder River Basin surfaced, Bill and Bernie were instrumental in organizing both the PRBRC and interested neighbors in facing the potential of unrestricted and unregulated development. The Barlows have commented on every CBM development Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement that has been released, always looking to safeguard the Powder River Basin's natural resources.

"Bill Barlow passed away in 2000, to the dismay of all who knew him. But his legacy lives on. Bill and Bernie have passed on their conservation ethic to their children, Michele and Erik. Michele heads WOC's Environmental Quality and Justice Program, and Erik represents the ranching and conservation communities in actively supporting responsible coalbed methane development in the Powder River Basin."