UWs Bravo Receives Stewardship Award from Outdoor School

University of Wyoming Professor of Practice Domenic Bravo is the recipient of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) Stewardship Award.

The award, presented annually since 1990, recognizes individuals demonstrating exceptional stewardship of public lands and the environment. NOLS, located in Lander, was established in 1965 and is recognized as the leader in wilderness education.

Bravo, a nationally recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry, began his new position as professor of practice in UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources in August. He is helping to develop UW’s new outdoor recreation and tourism management (ORTM) bachelor’s degree program -- a collaborative effort between the Haub School and the UW College of Business.

Bravo comes to UW after serving as administrator for Wyoming State Parks and the Outdoor Recreation Office.

In his new position, Bravo will conduct outreach with business and organizational partners in outdoor recreation and tourism, and teach in the ORTM program, serving an industry that is of growing importance to the state, region and nation.

Bravo received the NOLS Stewardship Award for his consistent work, both as a UW professor and as state parks administrator, for developing outdoor recreation opportunities across the state; encouraging young people to get outside; and working with partners, such as NOLS, to create a shared vision for the outdoor recreation industry.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from NOLS, an extraordinary company I have worked with in countless facets throughout my career,” Bravo says. “Without an organization like NOLS, outdoor recreation and conservation would be light-years behind where they are today. For 57-plus years, NOLS has dedicated itself to connecting people to public lands and offering skills that last a lifetime.”

Aaron Bannon, NOLS environmental stewardship director, calls Bravo a “mover and a shaker” who has become a critical voice in Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy efforts.

“He has been an exceptional partner for NOLS and many outdoor businesses across the state,” Bannon says. “I am honored to present him with one of NOLS’ most prestigious awards.”

About NOLS

NOLS began in a small cabin in the Wind River Mountains and has evolved into a global, multifaceted nonprofit school, offering a proven leadership curriculum through expedition courses; wilderness medicine certifications; risk management training; and custom education solutions for organizations.

Today, NOLS operates 16 campuses worldwide and provides classroom instruction in more than 40 countries. The NOLS community includes more than 800 active instructors who teach a variety of outdoor skills, from mountaineering and sailing to wilderness medicine, that empower students to step forward in their lives.