Tom Bell, rancher, decorated WW II veteran, founder of High Country News and the Wyoming Outdoor Council, died Aug. 30 2016 in Lander. WOC celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Wyoming Outdoor Council)

Tom Bell was many things — a fourth generation Wyomingite, a decorated World War II veteran, a rancher, a coal miner’s son, a born-again Christian, a publisher and a conservationist — but he was above all a one-of-a-kind Wyoming original.

This weekend the Wyoming Outdoor Council celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding by Bell and others in Lander.

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As part of the festivities, an environmental journalism panel discussion moderated by WyoFile editor Matthew Copeland featuring WyoFile contributor Dustin Bleizeffer, Casper Star-Tribune managing editor Christine Peterson, High Country News managing editor Brian Calvert, and Jackson Hole News and Guide environmental reporter Mike Koshmrl, will be held Saturday Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Matthew Copeland is the chief executive & editor of WyoFile. Contact him at matthew@wyofile.com or (307) 287-2839. Follow Matt on Twitter at @WyoCope

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