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Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership

The Petoskey Prize is an annual award recognizing a volunteer activist whose outstanding grassroots environmental leadership is marked by commitment, creativity, and courage. Michigan Environmental Council member groups nominate candidates to receive the Petoskey Prize. The award comes with a $5,000 gift to the Environmental Council member organization that nominates the winner, which is featured in each recipient’s description.

Honorees: Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership

Sandy Sorini Elser, 2024 recipient

Farmland conservation lawyer, Legacy Land Conservancy

Tommy Skinner, 2023 recipient

Clean energy advocate, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Diane Cheklich, 2022 recipient

Bird habitat builder, Detroit Bird Alliance

Karen Harrison, 2021 recipient

Au Sable River protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited

Gary Rayburn, 2020 recipient

Pine River protector, Healthy Pine River

Lynn McIntosh, 2019 recipient

PFAS whistleblower, West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Nancy Warren, 2018 recipient

Gray wolf advocate, Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition

Mark Covington, 2017 recipient

Detroit urban farmer - Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pam Taylor, 2016 recipient

Lenawee factory farm activist, Environmentally Concerned Citizens of South Central Michigan

Bill Craig, 2015 recipient

Rouge River caretaker, Friends of the Rouge

Steve Hamilton, 2014 recipient

Kalamazoo River ecologist, Environment Kalamazoo

Bob Andrus, 2013 recipient

Au Sable River protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited

Blair Miller, 2012 recipient

Rail trail champion, Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

Ken Smith, 2011 recipient

Leelanau leader, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council

Margaret Weber, 2010 recipient

Detroit recycling pioneer - Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Rusty Gates, 2009 recipient

Au Sable river protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited

Carol Drake, 2008 recipient

Benton Harbor beach hero, Alliance for the Great Lakes

Lynn Henning, 2007 Recipient

Factory farm fighter, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

Don A. Griffith, 2006 recipient

Detroit river protector, Friends of the Detroit River

Michelle Hurd Riddick, 2005 recipient

Public health advocate, Lone Tree Council

Terry Swier, 2004 recipient

Water withdrawal opponent, Clean Water Action - Michigan

Diane Hebert, 2003 recipient

Pollution whistleblower, Ecology Center

Alison & David Swan, 2002 recipient

Dunes champions, West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Debbie Romak, 2001 recipient

Romulus environmentalist, Ecology Center

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