The National Resources Conservation Service awards banquet took place on Tuesday, May 6, 2026 in Plainview at the Methodist Church Activity Center. Lamb County Soill and Water Conservation District #130 nominated the “Little Las Vegas Ranch” in the Wildlife Conservationist category.
The NRCS District Conservation presented the 2026 Wildlife Conservationist Area I Runner-Up award to John and Stephanie Roley, of Lubbock, Texas, owner of the “Little Las Vegas Ranch” conserviation project.
The 2026 Texas Conservation Awards Program aims to acknowledge and honor the talents of those dedicated to conservation practices through competition and incentives.
Receiving the award on May 6, 2026, in Plainview, the Roley family committed to building their dream ranch 35 years ago.
With a motto of “Giving Back,” Little Las Vegas Ranch not only gives back to the ecosystem via conservation practices but also aims to provide learning experiences to those visiting the ranch. Programs like the Texas Tech Range Science department, 4- H clubs, Boy Scout groups and many more visit the ranch to study the ecosystem.
Ultimately, John Roley’s dream of curating and maintaining a multi-purpose wildlife oasis manifests through his community and ecological efforts.