The Jade of Chiefs Award was established in 1958 as OWAA’s top conservation award. Tenure and position in, or service to, OWAA is not criteria for this award. The Jade Award represents an affirmation of OWAA adherence to, and support of, the principles of conservation. In 1963 the Circle of Chiefs was designated as OWAA’s Conservation Council. As such, it is OWAA’s conservation conscience.
Though only OWAA members are eligible, the award is not presented by OWAA but by members of the current Circle of Chiefs. Before making a final selection, the selection committee consult with both the Awards Committee chair and the immediate past president.
1958 – Arthur Carhart *
1959 – Henry P. Davis *
1960 – Nash Buckingham *
1961 – Roger Latham *
1962 – Joseph Penfold *
1963 – Joseph Linduska *
1964 – Werner Nagel *
1965 – Homer Circle *
1966 – Ray Heady *
1967 – John B. Madson *
1968 – Dr. Durward L. Allen *
1969 – Daniel A. Poole
1970 – George Laycock *
1973 – Dan Saults *
1975 – James B. Trefethen *
1977 – Karl H. Maslowski *
1979 – Edward G. Zern *
1980 – James F. Keefe *
1981 – George H. Harrison
1983 – Lonnie L. Williamson *
1984 – Donald W. Pfitzer *
1985 – Jack Lorenz *
1986 – Les Line *
1987 – George Reiger
1988 – Anne LaBastille *
1989 – Christopher M. Wille
1990 – Ted Williams
1992 – Joel M. Vance
1994 – Michael Frome *
1995 – Erwin A. Bauer *
1996 – Charles L. Cadieux *
1997 – Leonard Lee Rue III
1998 – Charles N. Elliott *
1999 – Grits Gresham *
2000 – Michael Furtman
2001 – Tony Dean *
2002 – Rich Patterson
2003 – Gregg Patterson
2004 – Bob Marshall
2005 – Scott Stouder
2006 – Robert M. Lindholm *
2007 – Paula Del Giudice
2008 – Chris Madson
2009 – Jim Low
2010 – Terry Brady
2011 – Paul Hansen
2012 – David J. Richey *
2013 – Shannon Tompkins
2014 – Kris Thoemke
2015 – Pat Wray
2016 – Larry Stone
2017 – Rich Landers
2018 – Holly J. Endersby
2019 – Matthew Miller
* Deceased