Author and wildlife biologist Doug Chadwick of Whitefish will be one of four University of Montana graduates to receive the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is the highest honor given out by the UM Alumni Association and will be presented during Homecoming Weekend Sept. 21 and 22.
Also receiving the award is Don Molloy of Missoula, Thomas Riggert of Brisbane, Australia and Joseph Valaciach of Tucson, Ariz.
Chadwick graduated from UM in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. In the decades since, he has traveled the world and published 29 books and 168 magazine articles about wildlife and conservation issues. He is also a National Geographic Magazine contributor.
As director of Vital Ground, Chadwick has worked to protect 600,000 acres of land for grizzly bears and other wildlife.
All four men will attend a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 in the UC Ballroom on the UM Missoula campus. The discussion will conclude with the awards ceremony and reception.