Since 2007, NCLCV has been hosting the Green Tie events to honor leaders who are willing to fight for our environment, our communities, and our democracy.
NCLCV was honored to welcome CNN political analyst and civil-rights champion Bakari Sellers as the keynote speaker at the 2025 Green Tie Awards. Born into a legacy of activism his father, Civil Rights leader Cleveland Sellers, forged in him a deep, unwavering dedication to service Bakari carried that torch with passion and purpose.
In his moving address, Sellers reminded us that our work isn’t just urgent, it’s resoundingly immediate. Echoing the wisdom of one of his heroes, Representative John Lewis, he invoked Lewis’s powerful credo: “The time is always right to get in some ‘Good Trouble.’” That stirring call to action landed with conviction, challenging everyone in the room to rise and answer the moment.
Bakari’s message was clear: there is a fierce urgency to our efforts and your support is what fuels them. If his words inspired you, consider stepping up your involvement. Even a modest commitment of $5 a month can make a real difference in powering our fight for a cleaner, healthier, and more just North Carolina. Will you become a recurring donor today?
Thank you again for standing with us. We truly couldn’t do this work without you!
This year, we were honored to award the 2025 Defender of the Environment to Senator Sydney Batch. As the Leader of the North Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus — the first woman and the first African American woman to hold this historic position — Senator Batch has consistently championed environmental protection and climate justice in the state legislature. Senator Batch has been a vocal opponent of efforts to weaken North Carolina’s climate commitments. In 2025, she stood against legislation that sought to repeal the state’s 2030 carbon reduction goal, a key component of the 2021 bipartisan energy law. This goal aimed for a 70% reduction in power plant carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Senator Batch criticized the repeal as a step backward in the fight against climate change and a threat to clean energy progress in North Carolina. Beyond her leadership role, Senator Batch has sponsored or co-sponsored over 100 bills during her tenure, many focusing on environmental protection and public health. Her legislative efforts reflect a deep commitment to safeguarding North Carolina’s natural resources and promoting sustainable policies. Senator Batch’s unwavering dedication to environmental issues and her proactive legislative work make her a deserving recipient of the 2025 Defender of the Environment award.
Senator DeAndrea Salvador — honored this year as the 2025 NCLCV Senator of the Year — has steadfastly defended North Carolina’s environment and communities through key votes and legislation. She proudly co-introduced the Clean Energy Workforce & Innovation Act (SB 546) in March 2025, a bipartisan effort to foster clean-energy jobs and workforce training in the state. Earlier in the spring, she took a stand in the Senate Agriculture, Energy & Environment Committee by urging a pause on SB 261(which became SB 266), the Republican-backed bill aimed at dismantling North Carolina’s 2030 carbon-reduction mandate — where she warned that vulnerable ratepayers could be left footing the bill for expensive, fossil-fuel plant projects. Through these legislative efforts — from workforce-focused clean energy to preserving climate benchmarks — Senator Salvador has exemplified why she’s a true champion for our environment.
Representative Sarah Crawford has been honored as the 2025 NCLCV Representative of the Year for her unwavering commitment to protecting North Carolinians’ health, environment, and democracy. Since joining the General Assembly, she has been a driving force on environmental justice, co-sponsoring HB 689, North Carolina’s landmark environmental justice policy that safeguards frontline communities from bearing disproportionate pollution burdens. She also championed the Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2025 (H8), aimed at reducing single-use waste—a critical step toward cleaner air and water.
Beyond legislation, she has consistently stood up to corporate polluters and prioritized clean energy initiatives, emphasizing the need for resilient coastal communities and equitable transition to renewable power. Through these votes and advocacy, Representative Crawford has proven herself a true environmental champion in the North Carolina General Assembly.
Have you explored EnergyFundsforAll.org, our coalition’s streamlined “three-click” website that guides anyone through clean energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law? Thanks to this resource, we’ve reached nearly 40 counties, connecting thousands of residents with programs that reduce energy costs and improve home health. This impact is largely due to this year’s Catalyst Award recipient: Sally Robertson—the brilliant mind and driving force behind the website.
Sally’s devotion to environmental protection spans her entire life. As the daughter of a national park biologist, she was immersed in advocacy early on. She dedicated over a decade to NC WARN, played a pivotal role in shaping North Carolina’s State Energy Plan, and now works with the SELC on innovative community solar initiatives. A co-creator of EnergyFundsforAll, she’s truly the brains behind the platform!
Sally also has a deep love for birds—a personal touch we couldn’t resist including! Her unwavering optimism and advocacy continue to inspire us, especially during challenging times for clean energy.
Walker & Marjorie Rayburn • Jeff & Lari Hatley • Carrie Clark • Jane & Kelly Clark • Jim Overton & Mary Babcock Mountcastle
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Greg & Missie Alcorn,* Pam Harting
Ann & John Campbell • Andrew Canada • Jean Canada • David Knight • Doug & Lissa Rader • Bryna & Greg Rapp • Trip Van Noppen & Rivka Gordon
Marcia Angle & Mark Trustin • The Hon. Cynthia Ball & Dr. Dave Aspnes • The Hon. Sarah Crawford & Dan Crawford • Jane Preyer • Carol Rist • Nancy Hanes White
Lucy Allen • Dr. Sylvia Burgess • Devon Terry • Seana Finn • The Hon. Sig & Nancy Hutchinson • Marion Sullivan
Jeff Adolphsen • Bill Holman & Stephanie Bass •Talton Gibson • Deborah Dicks Maxwell • Ty McFarland • Jim Smith • Hudson McCormick • Warren Raybould & Sherry Essig* • Doris Wallace (in memory of Ida Morton) • Mary Beth Powell & Bill Rote • Ethan Blumenthal • The Hon. Steve Schewel & Lao Rubert • Peter Raabe • Sharon Castleberry • Nancy Young
*Sponsorship made to NCLCV Foundation
Help us fight for fair maps, free elections, clean air, clean water, and clean energy for every North Carolinian!
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