This year, the Section presented a Special Award to Dr. William H. Rickard.  Janelle Downs and William Rickard treated our group to a fascinating overview of 40+ years of Environmental Research at the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve during the afternoon just prior to our banquet. This award was a fitting addendum to that wonderful presentation. Bill’s career as an environmental scientist spanned over 6 decades of research in as wide a field of endeavor as it was long; including botany, wildlife biology and radio ecology. What a wonderful and exciting opportunity for our section to recognize him for the enormous contributions he has made to a greater understanding of the shrub-steppe ecosystem.