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 the awardee represents to help advance their work.
Join us for the 2026 Petoskey Prize Celebration!
The Environmental Council is excited to honor the 2026 recipient for the Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership, Nicole Lindsey-Jackson of Detroit Hives. Nicole serves as Co-Founder and volunteer Co-Executive Director of the organization, which transforms vacant and underutilized land across Southeast Michigan into thriving pollinator habitats, educational bee farms, botanical gardens and green spaces.
The outcomes of Nicole’s work are visible across the communities she serves: 38 educational green spaces have been developed, more than 155 trees have been planted in Detroit, vacant land has been restored, pollinator habitat and biodiversity have expanded, millions of honeybees are responsibly managed, and thousands of youth and residents have gained meaningful exposure to nature and environmental education.
Help us celebrate and honor Nicole’s passion over brunch in Detroit! Event details:
- Date and time: Saturday, October 17, 10 am-12 pm
- Location: The Raw Space, 8420 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221
- Tickets: Admission is free, but space is limited. Please register below to reserve your spot!
Honorees: Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership
Community gardener, AFFEW
Farmland conservation lawyer, Legacy Land Conservancy
Clean energy advocate, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities
Bird habitat builder, Detroit Bird Alliance
Au Sable River protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited
Pine River protector, Healthy Pine River
PFAS whistleblower, West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Gray wolf advocate, Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition
Detroit urban farmer - Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lenawee factory farm activist, Environmentally Concerned Citizens of South Central Michigan
Rouge River caretaker, Friends of the Rouge
Kalamazoo River ecologist, Environment Kalamazoo
Au Sable River protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited
Rail trail champion, Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance
Leelanau leader, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council
Detroit recycling pioneer - Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Au Sable river protector, Michigan Trout Unlimited
Benton Harbor beach hero, Alliance for the Great Lakes
Factory farm fighter, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
Detroit river protector, Friends of the Detroit River
Public health advocate, Lone Tree Council
Water withdrawal opponent, Clean Water Action - Michigan
Pollution whistleblower, Ecology Center
Dunes champions, West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Romulus environmentalist, Ecology Center
Power environmental change today.
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