About the Rungius Medal
The Rungius Medal, named in honor of renowned artist Carl Rungius, is presented from time to time by the National Museum of Wildlife Art to individuals who have made lifetime or extraordinary contributions to the artistic interpretation and preservation of wildlife and its habitat. In establishing the Rungius medal, it is the intention of Trustees to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations across fields ranging from the fine arts to the natural sciences.
Symbolized by a beautiful, specially designed gold medal, the Rungius Medal is the Museum’s highest honor.
Rungius Medal Winners
2010 John F. Turner
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Wildlife biologist, Author, Wyoming State Legislator, Director of United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Assistant Sectretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientive Affairs, Dude Rancher, and more. Recognized for constant attention to the preservation of wildlife and wild habitat.
2007 Bill and Joffa Kerr
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Museum Founders, and sculptor (Joffa). Leaders in the field of collecting and conserving wildlife art, lifetime commitment to education and sharing art and the wild.
2006 Clifford P. Hansen
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Businessman, Rancher, former Wyoming State Governor, former US Senator of Wyoming. A long time steward of open spaces and ranch land in Teton County, Wyoming.
2005 E. O. Wilson
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Pulitzer Prize winning author and professor. Studies in fields ranging from entomology, myrmecology, animal behavior, evolution psychology, island biogeography, biodiversity, and environmental ethics. He has enhanced awareness of evolutionary principles and the need for environmental protection.
2004 Kenneth Bunn
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Sculptor. Academician of the National Academy of Design, Fellow of the National Sculpture Society and recipient of the Frederic Remington and Robert Lougheed Awards.
2003 Dr. J. Michael Fay
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Conservationist. Working at the Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society, Fay carried out pivotal projects in Central Africa that have resulted in important conservation impacts in the region, including working with the Congolese government to create Nouabale Ndoki Natural Park.
2002 Dr. David Love
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Geologist and Author. Directed the compilation of Wyoming State geological maps in 1955 and 1985—these remain the only complete maps of the state’s geology. Research geologist for the US Geological Survey for 45 years.
2001 Bertram C. “Bert” Raynes
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Naturalist, Bird Watcher, and Author. Pioneered the documentation of bird species in Jackson Hole and developed the area’s first bird checklist.
2001 Jane Goodall
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Primate researcher. Studies animals in their natural Tanzanian habitat with a focus on chimpanzees and other apes. An advocate of international peace and habitat conservation.
2000 Robert Bateman
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Painter, Naturalist, and Conservationist. Spokesman for many environmental issues using his artwork to feature animals that face ominous challenges as humankind continues to abuse the natural world.
1996 Kent Ullberg
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Sculptor. Studied in Sweden, Europe, and Africa. Former Curator of the Botswana National Museum and Art Gallery and also Former Curator of the African Hall at the Denver Museum of Natural History.
1994 Roger Tory Peterson
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Artist and Naturalist. Has played a pivotal role in the popularization of the genre of wildlife art and raised public consciousness of the natural world through his art.
1993 Wallace Stegner
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Writer. Awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Angle of Repose and the National Book Award for The Spectator Bird. Stegner lobbied for passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
1992 Bob Kuhn
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Wildlife artist known for his ability to paint the particular movements and personalities of wild animals.
1990 Robert L. Lewin
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Publisher, Mill Pond Press. Publishes wildlife art as is a leader in the production of limited edition wildlife art prints, building an awareness of wildlife art.
1989 Mardy Murie
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Naturalist and Conservationist. She played a key role in the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the greatest land preservation act in U.S. history
1988 John Clymer
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Illustrator and painter of wildlife and the history of the American West.