Celebrating Governor's Conservation Heroes

Resource Institute's Chairman, Squeak Smith, accepts the NCWF award for Conservation Organization of the Year.

(Raleigh, NC, September 11, 2017) - The North Carolina Wildlife Federation has presented its 54th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards to 20 winners dedicated to conservation in North Carolina.

Resource Institute, headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, was awarded Conservation Organization of the Year. RI was recognized for its work in restoring wetlands, streams and river systems, establishing greenways and removing dams. RI fosters collaboration and innovation while working for functioning ecosystems and water quality. One example of its work is the Ararat River restoration effort near Mt. Airy that turned a muddy river into a delayed harvest trout waterway with conservation easements and miles of greenway construction.

This year's winners are exceedingly notable conservation devotees who work for wildlife from elk to amphibians to fish and marine resources. They are water quality advocates, land stewardship champions and leaders in the preservation of unique ecosystems. The award winners include agency professionals, elected officials, academia, non-profit leaders and organizations rising to the challenge.

The awards were presented at the Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards banquet and celebration held Sept. 9 at the Embassy Suites RTP in Cary, NC.

To learn more about all the winner and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation visit http://ncwf.org/