Renowned Wyoming scientists and wildlife disease specialists Tom Thorne and Beth Williams are among the second class of five inductees for the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame, officials said.

The hall celebrates Wyoming's heroes of the outdoors and honors a lifetime of contribution to the preservation of Wyoming's wildlife and open spaces. All of this year's inductees will receive posthumous awards.

Thorne and Williams, a renowned husband-and-wife veterinarian team, join National Outdoor Leadership School founder Paul Petzoldt, pioneer zoologist and fish expert James R. Simon and famed conservationist George Bird Grinnell in the hall's 2005 class.

"This year, we have another diverse group of individuals who have demonstrated lifetime commitment and devotion toward conserving Wyoming's great outdoors," said Jay Lawson, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Division chief and chairman of the five-member Outdoor Hall of Fame selection committee.

"All five of these are just first-rate," he said in a phone interview.

Lawson said the five inductees were chosen from nearly 30 nominations submitted by Wyoming residents earlier this spring.

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation developed the idea for the hall in the summer of 2003 with the aim of making the Outdoor Hall of Fame induction ceremony the group's annual, signature event. Each year, the hall of fame recognizes individuals who have made significant, lasting lifetime contributions to the state's outdoor heritage through volunteer service, environmental restoration, educational activities, visual and written media, the arts, and political and individual leadership.

Anyone can submit a name for consideration during the public participation process each year, according to hall of fame rules.

Foundation Executive Director Marlene Brown said with the hall, the foundation hopes to educate the public and promote the significance of Wyoming's rich outdoor heritage. She said the inductees represent solid role models for today's youth.

"The foundation also recognizes the critical role that volunteerism plays in promoting the conservation of Wyoming's natural resources," Brown said.

The physical location of the hall of fame is being constructed in the Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody. Inductees are honored with plaques and photographs on a dedicated wall at the museum, according to plans.

The Game and Fish Commission created the foundation in 1999 as a way to help the agency fund some of its more nontraditional programs. The foundation enables businesses and individuals to help wildlife through private donations.

Last year's inaugural hall of fame class included Curt Gowdy, Cal King, Frank and Lois Layton, Olaus and Margaret Murie, D.C. Nowlin and President Theodore Roosevelt. Gov. Dave Freudenthal spoke at the first dinner and ceremony.

Brown said last year's ceremony was credited as being the "outdoor feel-good story of the year." She anticipated even more participation in the second year of the event.

Reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at (307) 875-5359 or at gearino@trib.com.