Lincoln Rotary club names wildlife photographer Joel Sartore Nebraskan of the Year

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln Rotary club on Tuesday announced a special honor for famed wildlife photographer Joel Sartore of Lincoln.

Downtown Rotary 14 named Sartore its 2025 Nebraskan of the Year.

Sartore, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in journalism, has photographed some of world’s most endangered species in hopes of raising awareness and increasing conservation efforts.

SEE ALSO: New Bolivian beetle named after famous Nebraska photographer

He most recently worked with National Geographic’s “The Photo Ark” project, which aims to photograph all species living in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries across the world.

Sartore and his work have been recognized by organizations such as the International Photography Hall of Fame and the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography.

“The Rotary 14 Nebraskan of the Year award was established over 30 years ago to honor and recognize the accomplishments of a Nebraskan who has distinguished himself or herself through service to others in keeping with ideals of Rotary International,” the club said in a press release.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln-based photographer captures image of 15,000th endangered species

Previous recipients of the award include civil rights leader Leola Bullock, former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, former Husker football coach and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne.

Those who wish to the 2025 Nebraskan of the Year Award luncheon on April 1 are asked to visit Downtown Rotary 14’s website.