For Immediate Release
Nov. 25, 2024
Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, [email protected]
BHA Welcomes Conservation Leader James Brandenburg to North American Board
MISSOULA, MT — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers proudly announces James Brandenburg, an accomplished grassroots leader and passionate outdoorsman, as the newest member of its North American Board.
As North America’s leading public lands advocacy group, BHA aims to ensure our outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting. In service of this mission, its North American Board provides invaluable guidance and support for the organization that operates in 49 states, Washington D.C., two Canadian provinces, and one Canadian territory. Adding to the Board’s already impressive panel of conservation leaders, Brandenburg will provide a critical "boots on the ground” perspective developed during his time spent as a volunteer and architect of BHA’s Arkansas chapter.
“My love for the outdoors started as a boy chasing my dad—not through the woods, but on the golf course,” Brandenburg shared. “As the sun dipped behind the Ozark hills, I became attuned to the changing air and sounds... Today, as a husband and father of three, my outdoor pursuits have grown to include hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring public lands as a family.”
Brandenburg in his natural habitat.
Brandenburg credits his sons with sparking his interest in deer hunting, which ignited a deep passion for pursuing wild game and conserving public lands. “We’ve learned to hunt and fish together, with lessons often flowing both ways,” he added.
This led Brandenburg to join BHA in 2018 as a volunteer, despite Arkansas not having a chapter then. Just two short years later, Brandenburg would change that in a major way.
“It’s members like James that truly embody the BHA ethos,” said Patrick Berry, BHA President and CEO. “James saw a need, he engaged others, he collaborated, and despite whatever challenges came his way, he found a way to make it happen. That’s the spirit of BHA. We don’t wait for conditions to be perfect, we don’t shy away from hard work, and most importantly – we show up for the things we care about. I truly look forward to having James serve on our Board and benefitting from his leadership.”
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the organization, Brandenburg was honored with BHA’s prestigious Mike Beagle-Chairman’s Award earlier this year – the highest individual award BHA bestows.
For more on Brandenburg and others serving on BHA’s North American Board, visit backcountryhunters.org/board_of_directors. To become a member of BHA, and locate a chapter nearest you, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/.
About Thomas Plank