Wildlife for All Honors Claire Loebs Davis as Inaugural Recipient of the Don Molde Award for Courageous Leadership in Wildlife Advocacy

SEATTLE—Wildlife for All is proud to announce Claire Loebs Davis, co-founder, board president, and executive director of Washington Wildlife First, as the first-ever recipient of the Don Molde Award for Courageous Leadership in Wildlife Advocacy, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to wildlife protection and state wildlife governance reform.

The Don Molde Award was established to honor individuals across the nation who embody the fearless spirit of Nevada wildlife advocate Don Molde, who passed away in July of 2025. Don was a tireless champion for wildlife whose advocacy inspired generations, and the award celebrates leaders who continue his legacy by taking bold action in the face of opposition, achieving tangible conservation outcomes, and inspiring others to advance the cause of wildlife protection through courage, creativity, and resilience.

Loebs Davis has been at the forefront of wildlife advocacy in Washington, leading Washington Wildlife First in advocating for significant reforms in state wildlife governance despite facing many setbacks,  attacks from entrenched special interests, and retaliation from the director of Washington’s wildlife department. Her leadership combines strategic vision, ethical integrity, and unwavering dedication to the public trust, serving as a model for conservation advocates nationwide.

“I am deeply honored to be the first recipient of the Don Molde Award, which should be seen as a credit to the dedicated board and staff of Washington Wildlife First,” said Loebs Davis. “We were proud to count Don among our supporters, and, like so many others, we were inspired by his courage in fighting to overturn entrenched power structures grounded in cruelty and consumption. One of the greatest compliments we ever received was when Don told us how impressed he was with our work, because he fully understood how hard it is to gain even an inch of ground for wildlife and the fierce backlash that follows even a modest amount of success.”

“Claire’s leadership is a testament to what can be achieved when courage meets vision,” said Michelle Lute, PhD, executive director of Wildlife for All. “Even as she faced intense attacks intended to silence her and derail progress, she persisted—often at great personal cost—to transform wildlife governance in Washington. Her resilience, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment have not only advanced protections for wildlife but have also inspired a new generation of advocates to fight for justice for all life.”

Wildlife for All received a strong list of nominations for advocates across the country, who cover a wide variety of wildlife protection issues. The selection committee noted that Loebs Davis stood out among the many excellent nominees, with nominators highlighting her exceptional qualities:

• Demonstrated courage: “Claire has fearlessly stood for wildlife against tremendous odds, at great personal and professional risk.”
• Innovation and creativity: “Claire is a creative strategist who does not limit herself to following paths that others have created or constrain herself to actions that others say are possible.”
• Resilience and persistence: “Her response to defeats is not to quit, but to find a way to win the next time. Claire personifies the phrase ‘And yet, she persists.’ She never loses sight of the goal of creating a better world for wildlife.”
• Scientific and ethical integrity: “Through dogged work, she has gained the mastery necessary to expose WDFW’s selective and biased use (and misuse) of science, in both court actions and advocacy campaigns.”

Loebs Davis noted there are many dedicated wildlife advocates in Washington and across the country who deserve this recognition. In particular, she pointed to current and former Washington wildlife commissioners who, since 2021, have faced relentless attacks for attempting to focus the state agency on its mission to protect, preserve, and perpetuate fish and wildlife. Over the past year, the agency’s director has collaborated with national trophy-hunting organizations to target those commissioners, directing his staff to spend hundreds of hours investigating and attempting to remove them. 

“It requires a tremendous amount of courage and fortitude for our commissioners to be on the front lines fighting for Washington’s wildlife under this kind of pressure, and they are the ones who truly deserve our appreciation,” Loebs Davis said. 

Wildlife for All invites supporters, allies, and members of the public to join in thanking Loebs Davis and other Washington wildlife advocates for their work, and celebrating the  enduring legacy of Don Molde, whose example continues to inspire bold action in the service of wildlife.

###

About Wildlife for All
Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.

About the The Don Molde Award for Courageous Leadership in Wildlife Advocacy
The Don Molde Award for Courageous Leadership in Wildlife Advocacy honors individuals in the United States who take bold action to protect wildlife and advance conservation, often in the face of opposition or personal risk. Named in memory of longtime wildlife advocate and former Wildlife for All advisory board member Don Molde, the award recognizes leaders whose work inspires others, mobilizes communities, challenges entrenched systems, and achieves meaningful outcomes for species, habitats, and ecosystems. The award celebrates advocates who embody Molde’s legacy of courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to wildlife.