The
National Audubon Society honored four exceptional women with the Rachel
Carson Award at its sixth annual Women in Conservation Luncheon at
The Plaza in New York City on May 19, 2009.
Audubon established this distinguished award in 2004 to honor visionary
women whose dedication, talent and energy have advanced conservation
and environmental education locally and on a global scale. Awardees are selected by the Rachel Carson Awards Council, a group of thiry women who are committed to the environment. Allison W. Rockefeller is the Council's Founding Chair. Previous
honorees include Bette Midler, founder of the New York Restoration
Project; Teresa Heinz Kerry, chair of the Heinz Endowments and the
Heinz Family Philanthropies; Majora Carter, Founder and Executive Director
of Sustainable South Bronx and Laurie David, producer of “An
Inconvenient Truth.”
This year, Audubon recognized the following women for their work:
Dr. Sylvia Earle: Dr. Earle is an oceanographer,
author, lecturer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence whose
work has expanded awareness and conservation of the fragile marine
environment.
Sally Jewell: Ms. Jewell is president and CEO
of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national outdoor gear and
apparel retailer dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting
for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
Elizabeth C. Titus Putnam: Ms. Putnam is the president
and founder of the Student Conservation Association, the nation's
largest youth conservation leadership organization
Elizabeth Colleton, Jane Evans and Susan Haspel – NBC Universal's “Green
is Universal” Initiative: Launched in May
2007, Green is Universal is NBC Universal's ongoing effort to promote
environmental awareness and action, and to green the company's
own operations.
The award is named for Rachel Carson, whose landmark book Silent
Spring opened the world's eyes to the damage inflicted
by the indiscriminate use of pesticides such as DDT.
Now in its second century, the National Audubon Society is dedicated
to protecting the birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports
them. Audubon's national network of community-based nature centers
and chapters, scientific and educational programs and advocacy on behalf
of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of
people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.
