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On Oct. 16, 2015, BLM Deputy Director Steve Ellis presented BLM-Idaho Deputy State Director for Resources Jeff Foss the Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts, professionalism and exemplary leadership and service. Throughout Foss's 35-year federal career, he has exhibited the exceptional ability to nurture coalitions with other federal and state agencies, stakeholders and conservation groups in support of management and natural resource issues while working for the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "BLM is truly honored to present Jeff Foss with this award. Jeff motivated and engaged BLM staff in effective management of issues and challenges. He promoted teamwork, prioritized workloads and accomplished mission-critical goals even in times marked by significant transition, emerging issues and impactful litigation," said BLM Deputy Director Steve Ellis. "Jeff has consistently demonstrated exceptional insight and wisdom in leading the statewide resources program," said BLM-Idaho State Director Tim Murphy. "He has provided outstanding leadership for many of our high priority initiatives, including Idaho's Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Strategy, Owyhee 68 grazing litigation, endangered species issues including the slickspot pepper grass and bull trout, wind energy priority areas and phosphate mining." Most recently, Foss helped guide the BLM through the initial stages of developing the 2015 Soda Fire Emergency Stabilization and Restoration plan. In addition, Foss has provided expert scientific guidance and managerial direction for development of several BLM resource management plans. Before joining BLM in 2010, Foss served in a variety of positions with the U.S. Forest Service in Utah, Idaho and Alaska. He also worked as the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office State Director responsible for conservation of plants, wildlife and resident fish listed under the Endangered Species Act. "The years Jeff spent working in Southwest Idaho as the supervisor of the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office paid dividends as he worked with us on conservation of greater sage-grouse, said Mike Carrier, state supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office in Idaho. intimate knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and the natural resources and conservation partners in southern Idaho continues to be a tremendous asset for the Bureau and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Jeff is central to the successful collaborative efforts of all who care about sage-grouse, our sage-steppe landscape and the benefits to wildlife, ranchers, recreationists and others that landscape provides. In 2008, Jeff received the Celebrating Natural Resources Award from the University of Idaho for exemplifying integrated natural resource management. Foss plans to retire at the end of 2015.