activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 13
- 820 Day™ — Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife Public Environmental Events & OutreachOrganizes "820 Day™ — Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife," an annual giving day dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and conserving Arizona's diverse wildlife species.
- Community Outdoor Events Leadership Public Environmental Events & OutreachProvides leadership and organizational support for community-based outdoor events, including the creation of the Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival by WFT volunteers in 2004.
- Conservation Events Series Public Environmental Events & OutreachHosts and organizes multiple annual events to support wildlife conservation and ethical outdoor recreation in Arizona, including the Conservation Cup, the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and the Valley of the Sun Carp Rally, each designed to engage diverse audiences in conservation efforts.
- Developing outdoor recreation facilities Capital Campaigns and Facility AcquisitionsThe organization combined funds to construct a new events center at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center (BACTC) campus.
- Funds and develops youth scholastic shooting sports programs Capital Campaigns and Facility AcquisitionsProvided initial funding for shotguns in the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), secured a $900,000 grant from the Midway Foundation to support SCTP teams, and helped finance the construction of a new events center at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center through combined donations.
- Hosts conservation-focused outdoor events Public Environmental Events & OutreachOrganizes and hosts multiple annual events including the Conservation Cup, Fly Fishing Film Tour, and the Valley of the Sun Carp Rally, all designed to support wildlife conservation and promote ethical outdoor recreation in Arizona.
- Infrastructure Support for Conservation Recreation Capital Campaigns and Facility AcquisitionsSecured and combined funding from multiple sources, including remaining funds from the Phoenix Trap and Skeet Club and San Diego Shotgun Sports Association, to construct a new events center at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center campus.
- Organizes Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife (820 Day™) Public Environmental Events & OutreachHosts "820 Day™ — Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife," an annual giving day dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and conserving Arizona's diverse wildlife species.
- Organizing community nature festivals Public Environmental Events & OutreachVolunteers from the organization created the Tres Rios Nature Festival (now Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival).
- Organizing fundraising and awareness events for wildlife conservation Public Environmental Events & OutreachThe organization hosts various events such as the Conservation Cup, the annual Fly Fishing Film Tour, the Valley of the Sun Carp Rally, and "820 Day™ — Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife" to support and celebrate Arizona's wildlife and conservation efforts.
- Supporting youth outdoor and wildlife education programsThe organization co-sponsors the Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Summer Camp, provides oversight for the Mesquite Wildlife Oasis program serving over 3,000 students annually, and provides funding and grants for the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Scholastic Clay Target Program.
- Supports youth wildlife and outdoor education programsCo-sponsors the Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Summer Camp serving approximately 200 children, supports the Mesquite Wildlife Oasis program reaching over 3,000 students annually across dozens of schools, and helped launch the Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival.
- Youth Conservation Education ProgramsSupports youth engagement in wildlife conservation through co-sponsoring the Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Summer Camp (serving approximately 200 children), overseeing the Mesquite Wildlife Oasis program (serving dozens of schools and over 3,000 students annually), and supporting the Scholastic Clay Target Program via initial funding and a $900,000 grant from the Midway Foundation.
advocacy · 3
- Administers the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsEstablished in 1998, this program honors individuals and organizations for significant and lasting contributions to Arizona's wildlife and outdoor heritage, with an annual ceremony—scheduled to reach its 28th event in 2026.
- Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsEstablishes and organizes the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame, an annual ceremony honoring individuals and organizations for significant and lasting contributions to Arizona's wildlife and outdoor heritage, with the first induction held in 1998 and the 28th event scheduled for 2026.
- Honoring contributions to Arizona's wildlife and outdoor heritage Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsThe organization established and organizes the annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame to recognize individuals and organizations for their significant and lasting contributions to Arizona's wildlife and outdoor heritage.
strategies · 19
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Community and Experiential Education for ConservationThe organization fosters conservation by engaging the public through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, outdoor recreation access, and educational programs that connect individuals with Arizona's wildlife and natural resources, inspiring curiosity, respect, and active participation in conservation.
- Community engagement and volunteer network development community_engagementStrengthens Arizona’s conservation movement by engaging diverse community groups, supporting volunteer programs, organizing public festivals, and encouraging individual participation through donations, pledges, and advocacy.
- Community engagement through inclusive outdoor access and public events outdoor_access_and_education, community_engagement, community_and_volunteer_engagementExpands ethical and safe public access to wild spaces and promotes broad participation in conservation by funding adaptive recreation facilities, hosting free public festivals (e.g., Tres Rios Nature Festival), and partnering with diverse community groups to connect people of all backgrounds with nature.
- Conservation recognition and ambassadorial engagement conservation recognition program, advisory_ambassadorial_panelRecognizes conservation leaders publicly and engages advisory/ambassadorial panels to expand organizational reach, credibility, and philanthropic support through community influence and professional networks.
- Conservation recognition and ambassadorial outreach conservation recognition program, advisory_ambassadorial_panelStrengthens organizational credibility and public engagement by recognizing conservation leaders publicly and leveraging advisory and ambassadorial panels to expand community connections, professional insight, and philanthropic support.
- Expanding outdoor access and inclusive recreation opportunities outdoor_access_and_educationFunds infrastructure and programs that improve safe, ethical, and adaptive access to Arizona’s wild spaces, including facilities for people with disabilities and educational festivals that promote diverse outdoor activities.
- Experiential and ambassador-based wildlife education experiential_wildlife_education, experiential_educationFunds immersive, hands-on education programs using live ambassador animals, outdoor skills camps, youth summer programs, and streaming technology to foster public connection, curiosity, and respect for Arizona’s native species and ecosystems.
- Experiential wildlife and outdoor education for youth and families experiential_wildlife_educationUses hands-on learning, live ambassador animals, outdoor camps, and interactive events to teach youth and the public about wildlife, conservation, and ethical recreation, fostering long-term stewardship through direct engagement.
- Leveraging diverse funding mechanisms for conservationThe organization secures consistent and long-term funding for conservation efforts by utilizing various financial strategies, including planned giving, recurring donations, and general fundraising, to bridge gaps, accelerate projects, and ensure continuity of work when traditional resources are limited.
- Partnership-driven conservation funding via official nonprofit affiliation partnership_driven_conservation_fundingActs as the official nonprofit partner of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to raise targeted resources and public awareness, enabling science-based conservation projects that align with state agency priorities and fill funding gaps.
- Partnership-driven conservation funding via official nonprofit partnership partnership_driven_conservation_fundingActs as the official nonprofit partner of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to raise resources and awareness, leveraging institutional credibility and alignment to direct funding toward science-based conservation and public education initiatives.
- Public awareness and media-driven education awareness_campaign, public education through mediaUses media platforms (TV, radio, writing) and public campaigns to make outdoor recreation accessible and family-friendly, while spotlighting Arizona’s biodiversity to raise awareness and inspire community-wide conservation participation.
- Public awareness and media-driven education campaigns awareness_campaignUses media (TV, radio, writing), public festivals, and digital tools like streaming wildlife cameras to raise awareness about Arizona’s biodiversity and conservation needs, making nature accessible and engaging for broad audiences.
- Recognition and Promotion of Conservation EffortsThe organization promotes and encourages conservation by publicly recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to Arizona's wildlife and outdoor heritage, thereby inspiring further engagement and support for conservation goals.
- Science-based conservation funding for species and habitat recovery science_based_conservation_fundingFocuses fundraising on science-informed conservation projects—such as native fish restoration, habitat improvement, and species recovery—to ensure measurable ecological impact and empower AZGFD with targeted financial support.
- State-focused, non-advocacy conservation modelConcentrates all efforts and funding exclusively on Arizona-based projects without diverting funds to national entities or engaging in legislative advocacy, ensuring tangible local impact and maintaining neutrality on controversial policy issues.
- Strategic Partnerships and Awareness CampaignsThe organization strengthens its conservation impact by acting as a key partner to state agencies, leveraging advisory panels for professional insight, and conducting awareness campaigns to highlight biodiversity, educate the public on conservation needs, and unite the community in supporting Arizona's wildlife.
- Sustained funding through recurring and planned giving recurring_donations, planned_givingSecures long-term financial stability via recurring donations (e.g., 820 Club) and planned giving (e.g., estate gifts), enabling consistent support for urgent and ongoing conservation work.
- Sustained funding through recurring and planned giving models recurring_donations, planned_givingSecures reliable, long-term financial support through structured giving programs—including recurring annual donations (820 Club) and planned gifts via estates or retirement assets—to ensure consistent funding for urgent and ongoing conservation work.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
820 Club
A membership program for individuals making recurring annual gifts to support wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, research, and outdoor education programs.
820 Day™: Arizona’s Day of Giving for Wildlife
An annual day dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and conserving Arizona's 820+ diverse wildlife species through donations and awareness campaigns.
Arizona Scholastic Clay Target Program
A team-based youth development program using shotgun sports to instill life skills such as discipline, safety, teamwork, ethics, and self-confidence in high-school aged youth.
Ben Avery Clay Target Center Events Facility
Construction and operation of an air-conditioned events center with full food service capacity at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center campus.
Mesquite Wildlife Oasis
An educational and wildlife habitat site providing information about local plant and animal life, focusing on habitat and water resources, serving thousands of school-aged children and adults annually.
Outdoor Skills Network (OSN)
A partnership providing hands-on events and camps to teach hunting, wildlife, fishing, shooting, trapping, conservation, and game meat preparation, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Tres Rios Nature Festival
An annual nature festival featuring educational booths and activities like canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birding, and hiking, held at the B&M Wildlife area near Phoenix.
Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Summer Camp
A summer camp for youth to experience nature, wildlife, and learn about Arizona's natural resources, held at the Hirsch Conservation Education Area.
relationships · 20
who they work with
- AZ FLY SHOP Partner — Donates 10% of all proceeds on August 20th to support wildlife conservation.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Bob Hirsch joined their Information and Education Branch and was one of the creators of their Wildlife Views television show.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Co-founding and ongoing partner in the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame initiative.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Cooperation with their Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation program and co-sponsorship of the Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Summer Camp.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Official nonprofit partner
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Supports the Arizona Game and Fish Department in wildlife conservation efforts.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Wildlife for Tomorrow is described as the charitable organization of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Works in collaboration with the department.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Partner — Official nonprofit partner, collaborating to conserve Arizona’s wildlife and connect people with the outdoors.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Partner — Official nonprofit partner, raising resources and awareness for AZGFD projects that conserve wildlife, restore habitats, and connect people to the outdoors.
- CANYON COOLERS Partner — Donates 18.20% of all full-price sales from their website on August 20th.
- Desert Botanical Garden Partner — Serves as the location for the Fly Fishing Film Tour event.
- MUTNT Gear Partner — Donates 20% of sales on August 20th.
- Mojab Off-Road Partner — Donates 8.20% of sales on August 20th.
- Outdoor Writers Association of America Coalition — Bob Hirsch was active in the organization and attended their annual convention.
- PM Pest Control Partner — Donates 10% of service fees from customers who sign up on August 20th, through December.
- SKRE Gear Partner — Donates 10% of all SKRE USA website sales on August 20th.
- The Arizona Republic Partner — Bob Hirsch was a regular outdoor columnist for the publication.
- The Phoenix Gazette Partner — Bob Hirsch was a regular outdoor columnist for the publication.
- White Mountain Apache Tribe Partner — Bob Hirsch hosted an annual Fish Camp with the tribe at Christmas Tree Lake.