On January, 10, 2015, USFWS hosted a wildlife tour followed by dinner at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge to honor partnerships that have increased protected habitat for the endangered ocelot. Honorees included:

• Phil and Karen Hunke, McAllen conservationists who worked with The Nature Conservancy to protect 1,119 acres of their Tecolote Ranch in Hidalgo County.
• Frank and Mary Yturria, rancher and conservationist who in November 2014 participated in the creation of a 7.428-acre conservation easement on the historic Yturria Ranch north of Raymondville.
• Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, who worked with USFWS to administer mitigation funds totaling $1.2 million, funds that were key to creation of the Yturria Ranch conservation easement.

Partnership Award