The Endangered Species Coalition recently presented the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s Wildlife Program Manager Brooke Shifrin with the Rising Conservation Leader Award, celebrating her work to conserve grizzly bears, gray wolves, and other wildlife species across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
GYC’s Brooke Shifrin and former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt receiving their conservation awards from the Endangered Species Coalition. (Photo GYC)
On October 5, 2026, Brooke and former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt were honored by the ESC for their leadership and commitment to the protection of endangered species at an event in Washington, D.C. The Rising Conservation Leader Award celebrates a young conservation leader making an impact on species protection. Brooke was nominated by her peers and several foundations for this honor.
"I am grateful for this recognition and believe it speaks to the importance of the work of Greater Yellowstone Coalition to protect such a beloved region characterized by iconic wild places and wildlife. It is a deep honor to receive the Rising Conservation Leader Award and celebrate the enduring conservation impact and legacy of Secretary Bruce Babbitt and the critical role of the Endangered Species Act in recovering species across the nation." —Brooke Shifrin, Wildlife Program Manager, GYC
Brooke leads multiple aspects of GYC’s wildlife programs, which include ensuring:
Grizzly bear populations are healthy, resilient, linked, and socially sustainable in and beyond Greater Yellowstone,
Wildlife in the ecosystem are managed under durable, science-based policies that sustain ecological function and uphold public trust, and
Coexistence strategies are established and strengthened to reduce wildlife mortality, support landowners, and increase social tolerance.
In her work, Brooke strives to use effective leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking as the key ingredients to secure durable policies and she implements innovative solutions that benefit wildlife and people. She recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with GYC.
Brooke with rancher Neil Barnosky at a grizzly bear conflict prevention workshop in Montana’s Ruby Valley. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
“Brooke is one of the hardest working and most effective conservationists I have worked with over the past 23 years. She is a brilliant ecologist with great communication skills, making her an ideal partner for the people and communities we work with every day to support rare wildlife species and the landowners who live and work alongside them. This award is well-deserved and highlights Brooke’s thoughtful, collaborative leadership and positive impact on wildlife conservation in Greater Yellowstone.” —Scott Christensen, Executive Director, GYC
Brooke received her master’s degree from Montana State University in Animal and Rangeland Science with a specific focus on wildlife ecology and grizzly bears.
Outside of her work at GYC, Brooke usually soaks up the mountain sun, rain, or snow with her husband Wes, three children, and their pups, Lola and Moon. She relishes immersing herself in the sights and sounds of wild nature, especially on skis or with multiple days of gear in tow.
Want to learn more about Brooke’s work? She’s a frequent guest on our webinars and the Voices of Greater Yellowstone podcast. Check out our conversations with her about grizzly bears and wolves below.
—Emilie Ritter, Director of Communications and Marketing (Bozeman, Montana)
