12/31/2025
It is with great honor we announce the retirement of Steven Bates!
Steve developed a love for the outdoors, wildlife, and conservation as a young kid joining his father in his wildlife conservation efforts. He began his career in 1981 working for the Division of Wildlife Resources in Utah and has since worked in various fields of conservation and wildlife in Florida, New Mexico and Utah.
Steve, an Utah native, earned his Bachelors degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Utah State University and went onto complete a Masters degree in Wildlife and Range Resources at Brigham Young University. In 1999 he continued his career at Antelope Island State Park, and later returned to BYU to earn a Ph.D in Wildlife and Wetlands Conservation, focusing on applied wildlife management and habitat use directly related to Antelope Island State Park. He has served the State of Utah for over 26 years and has built one of the healthiest and most productive public bison herds in the United States.
In 2024 Steve was awarded the Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award by the Utah Wildlife Federation for his dedication and service to wildlife and conservation in Utah.
We want to formally wish Steve the best in his new adventures with retirement and sincerely thank him for his support, service, and dedication to Antelope Island and the State of Utah.
Thank you Dr. Steven Bates!
In honor of Steve’s success and work at Antleope Island State Park, the “Bison Corrals” has been formally renamed “Bates Bison Corrals”. 🦬
Please help us congratulate Steve on his retirement in the comment section.
