Sen. Bob Oke and his Legislative Assistant, Michelle Lewis, have been honored with the 2003 Conservationist of the Year awards from Trout Unlimited.

Oke has been recognized throughout his Senate career for his efforts on behalf of salmon and steelhead fisheries management and enhancement and last year successfully got funding in the capital budget to begin preliminary work on a salmon hatchery in Tumwater. The new hatchery will replace an older one that lacks incubation and creates problems with water quality and keeping hatchery-reared fish within their own watershed.

Lewis was honored for her diligent work in helping Trout Unlimited through the legislative process and up-to-date on Sen. Oke’s efforts.