In November, attorney and range scientist Bruce Pendery joined WOC’s staff as Director of Public Lands. With extensive experience in the West and working with WOC and our conservation allies on oil and gas issues, Bruce was the stand-out choice among a strong pool of applicants to assume this critical position at WOC.

“As one of the West’s most respected environmental attorneys,” notes WOC’s executive director Dan Heilig, “Bruce’s academic and professional background greatly enhances our capabilities and effectiveness.”

Bruce holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and an M.S. in Range Science from Utah State University, in addition to a law degree, earned from the University of Utah College of Law.

Prior to law school, Bruce worked for 11 years as a range scientist for Utah State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, designing, conducting, analyzing and publishing scientific studies regarding arid-land plant breeding, ecology and rangeland management. More recently, he worked for Defenders of Wildlife as its Government Relations Associate. In that role, he analyzed the impacts of the Bush-Cheney National Energy Policy on wildlife and public lands in the western U.S. and worked on advocacy efforts related to those issues.

Bruce will focus, for now, on protecting our BLM lands from ill-considered and environmentally destructive oil and gas development. The geographic range of his work will cover most of the state, including the Powder River Basin, Jack Morrow Hills, Great Divide Basin and Upper Green River Valley, all facing massive energy development projects which threaten wildlife habitat, air and water quality and residents’ quality of life.

Married with two children, Bruce is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking, car-camping (a must with young children) and cross-country skiing.

When asked why he wanted to work for WOC, Bruce responded, “Because it’s a dream come true, being able to protect Wyoming’s wildlife and wide open spaces on behalf of an organization with the respect and accomplishments that WOC has.”