The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to public lands counties and to draw attention to their accomplishments and the public policies they represent.
Eligibility: The award is open to elected officials of counties with substantial amount of public lands in the fifteen states covered by the WIR Bylaws.
Criteria: The emphasis for the award will be on demonstrated service and accomplishments on three levels; local, state and national. The award is given for a definitive accomplishment or a series of accomplishments over the past three years.
Who was Dale Sowards? The award was named after former Conejos County, Colo. Commissioner Dale Sowards, who was instrumental in the creation of the Western Interstate Region and was a long-time advocate for public land counties.
Who decides the recipient? The leadership of the Western Interstate Region Board of Directors
What is the deadline for submittal? Generally the end of April each year.