Christian Daniels, a high school senior and founder of the Desert Balloon Project, was selected as the 2023 recipient of the Wayne E. Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award.
This honor is bestowed upon individuals or organizations who demonstrate significant achievements in the conservation, management, or enhancement of wildlife.
Daniels founded the Desert Balloon Project in 2020, at just 15 years old, after noticing the harmful impact of mylar balloons on desert wildlife, particularly the threatened desert tortoise.
Through tireless efforts, Daniels has hiked over 900 miles and collected nearly 3,000 balloons, all while raising awareness of the dangers these balloons pose to Nevada’s fragile ecosystems.
His work has garnered the attention of numerous conservation groups, including the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Protectors of Tule Springs National Monument, and the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP).
In addition to his hands-on efforts, Daniels has made significant strides in educating the public. His social media campaign, #tiedandinside encourages people to properly dispose of balloons, preventing further harm to wildlife.
His educational outreach, reaching over 20,000 children and adults, has been featured at major community events such as Pleistocene Palooza and the Science and Technology Fair. His message has also appeared on media platforms like Fox 5 News, 90 Miles from Needles Desert Podcast, and the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Christian Daniels’ work through the Desert Balloon Project is a testament to how small, consistent actions can lead to significant outcomes for wildlife conservation. As the youngest recipient of the Wayne E. Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award, Daniels proves that passion and persistence can create lasting change, no matter your age.
With his unwavering dedication, Daniels has a bright future in conservation, and his impact is sure to grow. Daniels will be accepting the award in Las Vegas, at the March Commission Meeting.
The Commission’s Kirch Award judging panel chooses a winner from a pool of statewide nominations. The judging panel is made up of two wildlife commissioners; Marlene Kirch, daughter of former Commissioner Wayne E. Kirch; the Department of Wildlife staff assigned to the Kirch Award Committee; and four County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife members or members of outdoor groups.
The award is named in memory of Wayne E. Kirch who held the longest tenure, 25 years, as a commissioner on the Fish and Game Commission. Kirch passed away in 1989, but his legacy is honored through this annual award.