2025 Winner: Environment/Ecosystems
The fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program (1999-2021)
As lead of the fRI Grizzly Bear Research Program for 23 years (on secondment from the Government of Alberta), wildlife scientist Gordon Stenhouse united industry, government, and NGOs to tackle Alberta’s grizzly conservation. His team, including 64 graduate students, mapped bear range, built habitat and mortality-risk models, and produced the first scientific population estimate that informed the species’ provincial “threatened” listing. With 180+ papers and GIS-based GB Tools now used across Alberta, the program reshaped management; partners invested $29M.
