Ron Klataske of Manhattan has been named conservationist of the year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation and will be honored at a KWF dinner on Feb. 15 in Manhattan.

“Ron’s long-term efforts on behalf of Audubon of Kansas and the Audubon Society reveal a lifetime of dedicated work for Kansas natural resources and, in particular, the tallgrass prairie,” Tommie Berger, president of KWF, said. “His professional and personal commitment and sacrifice epitomize the nature of what these distinguished awards are all about — giving recognition for exemplary conservation efforts.”

Among the other honorees is Dave Murphy of Lawrence who is active in Friends of the Kaw. Murphy was named water conservationist of the year.

Other KWF honorees are Gibran Suleiman of Fort Riley, Brian Obermeyer of Eureka, Robert Harkrader of Burlington, Tom Buchanan of Washington, Andy Fenton of Holton, Rick Cleveland of Webber, Debra Ryder of Leawood, Mack Villalpando of Salina, Mike Collinge of Hamilton and Carolyn Greene of Boulder, Colo.