by My friend Dr. Mike Arnold was named as the winner of the DSC Foundation Education Award for 2026. Mike is a hunter, writer, geneticist, and, most recently, a podcaster. He recently started his Bringing Back the Wild Podcast and it can be found in the usual places including iTunes. His most recent article was in the American Hunter regarding the human-wildlife conflict in the Scottish Highlands.
His book, Bringing Back the Lions, (#commission earned) detailed the wildlife recovery in war ravaged Mozambique’s Coutada 11 that cooperation between local tribes and international accomplished. The book is how I first became aware of Mike and it is well worth reading. His most recent book, Bringing Back the Wild, has stories about revitalized ecosystems and how sport hunting has supported it. I have not read that book yet but have it on order.
From the DSC Foundation:
The DSC Foundation is proud to announce Dr. Mike Arnold, Distinguished Research Professor of Genetics at the University of Georgia, as the 2026 DSC Foundation Education Award recipient. The award honors Dr. Arnold’s extraordinary leadership in wildlife conservation education and his lifelong commitment to demonstrating how ethical hunting supports ecosystem restoration and community well-being.
An accomplished scientist and storyteller, Dr. Arnold has authored four books with Oxford University Press. Recently, he published Bringing Back the Lions, and Bringing Back the Wild. His work has appeared in Game Trails, Sports Afield, Safari, and NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum, and his TEDx talks on “How Supplying Protein Restores Ecosystems” have reached 1000s of listeners.
“Dr. Arnold’s work connects science, storytelling, and the outdoors to show that hunting is vital to conservation,” said Scott Tobermann, Interim President of DSC Foundation.
“Mike has helped countless people understand the role hunters play in wildlife conservation,” added Larry Weishuhn, wildlife biologist and outdoor communicator.
“His research-backed stories resonate with hunters and non-hunters, proving that true conservation comes from unity and education,” said Mark Haldane, owner of Zambeze Delta Safaris.
From Classroom to Campfire
Dr. Arnold began writing at age eight and published his first scientific paper at eighteen. Throughout his academic career, he has mentored hundreds of students in genetics and wildlife biology while championing the message that “hunting is conservation.”
In 2018, after recovering from cancer, Dr. Arnold traveled to Africa for his first safari, with his brother.
In 2021, the community-led restoration he witnessed in Coutada 11, and the recovery of its lion population, fueled his mission to tell the story of hunter-funded conservation through his books, articles, and public speaking.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Dr. Arnold continues to lecture at universities, lead discussions like “Why Everyone Should be Pro-Hunting,” and introduce first-time hunters to the field. He emphasizes that conservation is “not about killing; it’s about understanding our connection to nature,” and he advocates for expanding access to outdoor experiences for youth and underrepresented communities.
About the DSC Foundation Education Award
The Education Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to conservation education and advancing the understanding of sustainable use. Recipients embody the DSC Foundation’s mission to ensure wildlife conservation and protect hunters’ rights through education, advocacy, and support.
“Restoring and rescuing nature is what conservation means to me,” said Dr. Arnold. “Sustainable hunting heals both land and communities.”