Conservation Events: Green Tie Celebrates Conservation Leaders
Conservationists from around North Carolina celebrated new and renewed conservation leadership at the 10th annual Green Tie Awards event last week. NCLCV spotlighted our state’s first pro-conservation governor in years through the keynote address delivered by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Cooper, himself a former Green Tie Award winner for his work as NC Attorney General to protect the health and clean air of North Carolinians, spoke of his vision for our state as one which provides the education, resources, and healthy environment needed for all citizens and residents to thrive. His remarks touched on both the importance of North Carolina’s growing clean energy economy, and the proper role of state government in protecting the interests of all our residents.
Speaking of his newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Michael Regan, Cooper emphasized, “Secretary Regan knows that DEQ’s primary ‘customers’ are the citizens of North Carolina.” Cooper’s comment underscored the distinction between this approach to government and that of his predecessor in the governor’s office, whose environmental appointees famously declared their allegiance to serving the interests of pollution permit-holders as their “customers.”
Seven outstanding legislative leaders and citizen innovators were recognized for their contributions to protecting clean air and water, a green and beautiful land, and public health in our state. Event participants honored Senator of the Year Mike Woodard; Representative of the Year Pricey Harrison; Rising Stars, Senators Erica Smith-Ingram and Jay Chaudhuri; “The Joe” awardee, Secretary Larry Hall; and Catalyst Award winners, Mack Pearsall, founder of The Collider, and Carol Davis, executive director of the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation.
