At age 24, a naive, energetic greenhorn stepped off a Northern Pacific railcar and into the nearly Wild West. In short order, he established the Elkhorn Ranch north of Medora, North Dakota. Despite his "work conquers all" attitude, "all" didn't include winter weather on the Northern Plains. His cattle operation busted and the greenhorn withdrew in 1887 to different fortunes back East. But had he not spent that time in the Dakotas, the failed rancher claimed he never would have become President of the United States. Accordingly, had Theodore Roosevelt (T. R.) had neither the time nor temerity to try to become a rancher north of Medora, he would not have become America's foremost catalyst for the concept and practice of conservation.

Today, thanks in large measure to the efforts of Lowell Baier, businessman, conservationist and Regular Member of the Boone and Crockett Club (which T. R. helped to found, not coincidentally, in 1887), the federal government recently leveraged acquisition of the last private parcels of the 23,550-acre Elkhorn Ranch and incorporated the historic property into the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt National Park, increasing the park's size by a third.

Conservationists nationwide acknowledge the appropriateness of the acquisition. During his presidency, T. R. set aside 230 million public acres, representing approximately 10 percent of the United States. Those actions led to establishment of the national park, national forest, national wildlife refuge systems, and creation of national monuments. Elkhorn Ranch, by his own admission, was where T. R.'s conservation convictions germinated.

For Baier's 24-month efforts to facilitate the purchase, as well as a host of other noteworthy conservation accomplishments, Baier was nominated for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year prize. Baier has indicated that, should he be so fortunate as to receive the honor, he will donate its $50,000 prize to enhance and restore the viewshed of the Elkhorn Ranch.

Electronic balloting for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year continues through November 30, 2007.