The DSC Foundation is proud to announce Michael Schneider of Driftwood Valley Outfitters as the 2027 DSC Foundation Education Award recipient. The award honors Schneider's extraordinary leadership in wildlife conservation education and his commitment to creating meaningful educational opportunities for Takla Nation youth through ethical hunting, hands-on learning, and Indigenous cultural teachings.
"Michael's work demonstrates how hunting can create meaningful educational opportunities and lasting benefits for local communities," said Russell Stacy, CEO of Dallas Safari Club. "By combining practical skills, classroom learning, and Indigenous teachings, he and the Driftwood Outdoor Guide and Business Apprenticeship (DOGBA) team are helping Takla Nation youth build confidence, connect with their heritage, and prepare for their futures. We are proud to recognize his commitment to the next generation."
Schneider and his family have operated a guide outfitting business since 1987. Through many years of service on the board of directors of the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, he has advocated for fish, wildlife, and the landscapes they inhabit. That commitment extends to respecting the traditional homeland of local First Nations and creating opportunities for the next generation.
"Michael's dedication to empowering underserved and often at-risk youth of the Takla Nation in British Columbia through his Driftwood Outdoor Guide and Business Apprenticeship Program is truly remarkable and serves as an inspiration to us all," said Scott Tobermann, DSC Foundation President.
Over the past six and a half years, Schneider, his family, and his staff have expanded their work beyond guide outfitting through the DOGBA. Designed for Takla Nation youth, the three-year program combines practical business experience, school education, and Indigenous teachings, using hunting tourism as a platform for learning and personal growth.
"This is and always has to be 100% about the kids," Schneider said. "That's why I am happy to accept the award on behalf of all involved. Special thanks and recognition to Chief John Allan French, his wife Tamatha French, and the leadership of Takla Nation, without whom none of this would be possible."
Not Every Classroom Has Four Walls
At the heart of DOGBA is the belief that meaningful education can happen far beyond a traditional classroom. Apprentices develop skills in guiding, fishing, equipment maintenance, log cabin building, taxidermy, marketing, and business operations while meeting academic requirements.
The program connects everyday experiences to subjects such as mathematics, environmental science, and entrepreneurship. Whether building a cabin, collecting wildlife data, or helping care for clients in the mountains, students gain practical knowledge while exploring their interests and potential career paths.
Equally important are the teachings shared by Takla Nation Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Time spent on the land provides opportunities to learn about traditions, culture, medicines, and ceremonies, strengthening apprentices' connections to their heritage and identity.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
DOGBA places the well-being of its apprentices at the center of every decision. Family involvement, community support, consistent mentorship, and leading by example are fundamental to the program's approach.
The program's first three apprentices have successfully completed their training and gone on to secure full-time and part-time employment. For Schneider, those achievements reflect the collective commitment of the apprentices, their families, his own family, and the staff who support them.
Building on the program's success, strong demand led to the launch of a DOGBA girls' apprenticeship program in 2025, creating additional opportunities for young people to participate.
"There are some heartbreaking moments that will test us and then there are highlights that make it all worth it and they confirm that this is the right path," Schneider said. "The rest is just hard work, consistency, determination and to lead by example."
Schneider described receiving the award as humbling and expressed pride in everyone involved. He also thanked the DSC Foundation for recognizing work that is helping create a different path toward a better future.
The DSC Foundation Education Award will be presented during the Friday evening banquet at the 2027 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo, January 7–10, 2027, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
About the DSC Foundation Education Award: The Education Award honors organizations and 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.
About DSC Foundation: The DSC Foundation funds and promotes initiatives that ensure the conservation of wildlife and the protection of hunting heritage around the world. Through grants, partnerships, and educational outreach, the foundation empowers organizations and individuals making meaningful impacts in conservation, research, and outdoor education.
Learn more at www.dscf.org.