Each year the North Carolina Wildlife Federation(NCWF) presents the prestigious Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards. The awards honor individuals, governmental bodies, organizations, and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina. These are the highest natural resource honors given in the state.
Renee Strnad - 2011 Environmental Educator of the Year - NC
We are very excited that Renee Strnad, Extension Forestry Specialist and Coordinator of NC Project Learning Tree ® (NCPLT) in the College of Natural Resources at NC State University was selected as Environmental Educator of the Year.
One of the goals of the NCWF Conservation Awards is to inspire all North Carolinians to take a more active role in protecting the natural resources of our state through the celebration of these individuals and organizations.
Strnad’s enthusiasm for her work with NC State Extension Forestry, NCPLT, the Fur, Fish & Game Rendezvous 4-H Camp and with organizations like the North American Association of Environmental Educators and Environmental Educators of North Carolina have given her ample opportunities to educate and inspire people of all ages to understand and embrace the natural world around them. We are excited and proud that she is being recognized.
Congratulations, Renee!
We are also proud to have long, rewarding relationships with several other honorees including but not limited to –
Lewis Ledford – CONSERVATIONIST of the Year
The longtime director of the North Carolina State Parks system, Ledford is a friend of the college and the 2009-2010 Lifetime Acheivement Award winner from our Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management
Wilburn (Wib) Owen – FOREST CONSERVATIONIST of the Year
An alumnus of our forestry ( ’78) and recreation (’84) programs, Owen has served at the Wildlife Resources Commission and as State Forester for North Carolina where he had responsibility to protect our forests for the people of our state, Owen and his staff were (and still are) are frequent partners and collaborators with researchers and extension specialists at NC State.
Hal Atkinson – SPORTSMAN of the Year
A 1966 alumnus, Atkinson served for 20 years as chief of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Division of Wildlife Management where he had daily impact on conservation in the state and where he championed collaboration with NC State’s wildife researchers and extension specialists.
We congratuate each awardee and thank them for their dedication to convervation in North Carolina and for their past and future support of the NC State College of Natural Resources.
A gala banquet is scheduled for August 27, 2011 at the Hilton Raleigh Durham where award recipients will be recognized and presented with a statuette and certificate.
Learn More about –
Extension Forestry
Project Learning Tree
NC Wildlife Federation