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In the sweeping prairies and rugged mountain country of Wyoming, Rusty Bell reflects the state’s intertwined values of stewardship, hard work, and innovation. As a Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner representing District 4 (Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties), Bell exemplifies the spirit of Wyoming—rooted in respect for the land, faith in its people, and belief in a shared responsibility to preserve and strengthen both.
A Legacy of Service and Stewardship
Appointed to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in 2023 by Governor Mark Gordon, Bell brought decades of leadership in public service and economic development to the role. He previously served as a Campbell County Commissioner, where he became known for his pragmatic approach to community growth, resource management, and fiscal stewardship. His leadership experience spans range management, local government, and business—each grounded in a passion for keeping Wyoming strong and forward-looking.
In May 2025, Bell took on a new challenge as CEO of Energy Capital Economic Development, an organization dedicated to advancing growth and diversification efforts in Campbell County, Wyoming. Bell brings experience and innovation to the table, for example, finding innovative ways to repurpose existing coal and industrial infrastructure for new opportunities. Bell has collaborated extensively with The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming to explore how to reuse critical sites and facilities for new development and manufacturing rather than disturbing untouched land—“Every time you tear up new green land, you’re tearing up habitat,” Bell reminds.
Bell continues to engage in projects that look toward the future of Wyoming’s economy. He is currently exploring opportunities to safely store biomass from other regions underground, contributing to emerging carbon and energy solutions. Bell also sees untapped potential in increasing the efficiency of rail operations—for example, identifying productive uses for the empty train cars returning daily to the Powder River Basin, and finding ways they might carry value back with them, “We have to think creatively—reuse what we already have. Put wind turbines in old coal mines. Store biomass underground. We can grow responsibly without losing what makes Wyoming special.”
The Work of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Central to Bell’s service is his commitment to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD)—the agency responsible for conserving, enhancing, and protecting the state’s world-class wildlife and fish populations. The WGFD manages everything from game species to nongame wildlife, ensuring Wyoming’s ecosystems remain vibrant and resilient.
Overseeing these efforts is the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, a seven-member board appointed by the Governor. The Commission sets policies, seasons, and budgets, acting as both steward and strategist for the state’s game and nongame natural resources. Bell describes the work as both a privilege and a profound responsibility:
“We have everything in Wyoming—mountains, plains, wetlands, and rivers. Our job is to protect that diversity so future generations can experience the same wonder we do today.”
For Bell, that protection begins with education and engagement. He believes getting youth outdoors and involved in conservation is essential to ensuring Wyoming’s wildlife legacy endures. Among the most pressing challenges, he notes, are urban sprawl, the division and sale of large properties, and resulting habitat loss—real issues that cannot be ignored. While he deeply respects the importance of private property rights, he emphasizes the need to recognize the broader ecological impacts of these changes.
When it comes to declining species, such as Wyoming’s mule deer populations, Bell asks critical questions: How do we stop this trend and ensure these animals thrive for generations to come? He points out that many of the state’s wildlife challenges ultimately trace back to habitat health, including the spread of invasive grasses that threaten native ecosystems. “It all comes back to habitat,” Bell often says, underscoring that every conservation effort—from land management to education—is part of the same mission to sustain Wyoming’s wild heritage.
The Commissioner’s License: Turning Conservation into Impact
Each year, the Commission allocates a limited number of big game hunting and fishing licenses—known as Commissioner’s Licenses—to its members, who can designate them to nonprofit organizations for fundraising. These licenses are auctioned or raffled to raise funds for conservation, education, and stewardship initiatives across the state.
In 2024, Bell chose to allocate a license to Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC), helping advance its mission to educate Wyoming students about agriculture, natural resources, and environmental responsibility. The decision was inspired by Marilyn Mackey, WAIC Board Member, and a fellow advocate for agricultural education, who highlighted the program’s statewide impact.
“Nonprofits can really leverage these funds,” Bell explains. “With innovative approaches to fundraising, they can maximize proceeds and achieve the greatest difference for their cause.”
WAIC uses such support to enhance its award-winning Wyo Wonders curriculum—completely free supplementary lessons for grades 2 – 5 that connect students to the state’s economy and environment through subjects like invasive species management, resource responsibility, and range management across three subjects: Agriculture, Minerals & Energy and Outdoor Recreation & Tourism. Wyo Wonders offers 7 lessons that make mention of the Department, including a 3rd grade lesson specifically about Wildlife Management. By helping fund these educational tools, Bell’s contribution ensures that the next generation grows up understanding how Wyoming’s agriculture, ecosystems, and industries.
A Vision for Wyoming’s Future
Bell’s dedication extends beyond policy and philanthropy—it’s personal. A lifelong outdoorsman, hunter, and angler, he has spent countless hours in Wyoming’s backcountry. His perspective is shaped by experience, not abstraction. Through his work with forming the Wyoming Sportsman’s Group in Gillette, he has long encouraged youth participation in outdoor education, from sponsoring backpacks for hunter safety graduates to organizing youth camps that get kids outside and connected to nature.
He worries about the pull of screens and technology on young people today and sees programs like WAIC’s as critical in rekindling Wyoming’s outdoor heritage.
“It’s critical for the future—which is the young people—to value and love their outdoors and the wildlife,” Bell says. “If kids understand this in the classroom, the better off wildlife, ecosystems, and everyone will be today and in the future.”
Bridging Conservation, Education, and the Economy
What makes Rusty Bell stand out is his ability to bridge worlds that often seem at odds—economic development and environmental protection, modern innovation and traditional values. He envisions a Wyoming where thoughtful growth fuels opportunity without compromising the landscapes and wildlife that define the state.
Through his leadership on the Game and Fish Commission, his role with Energy Capital Economic Development, and his support of WAIC, Bell represents a model of balanced stewardship—one where conservation, education, and economic transformation work hand in hand to secure Wyoming’s future.
“When you invest in kids and conservation, you’re investing in everything Wyoming stands for,” Bell reflects. “That’s what keeps this place strong—for the people here now, and for the ones who’ll come after us.”
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