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VOLUNTEER AWARDS
These awards honor individual Sierra Club volunteers or groups of volunteers.
Atlas Award. Honors volunteers who have made extraordinary administrative contributions to groups, chapters and regional entities. Up to three Atlas awards may be given annually. This award was created to honor Susan E Miller, who provided administrative support to the Council of Club Leaders and the Board of Directors.
Communication Excellence Award. Honors the best use of communications (either print or electronic) by volunteer(s) in a Sierra Club group, chapter or other entity to further the Club's mission. Up to two may be awarded annually.
Chapter Strong Award. This $3,000 award honors Sierra Club groups or chapters for outstanding work in building chapter strength and capacity, particularly in fundraising and developing a stronger grassroots base. Nominees should demonstrate commitment to ongoing equity education, just and inclusive collaboration, and the practice of equity values. Funding for this award comes from an awards fund started with a contribution from longtime Sierra Club fundraiser Denny Wilcher and his wife, Ida.
Emerging Changemaker Award. Recognizes young Sierra Club volunteers who represent the next generation of environmental leaders. Includes an award of up to $500 to further the work of the recipient(s).
Environmental Alliance Award. Honors Club members or entities who have helped further environmental goals through collaboration with other, non-Sierra Club constituencies.
Volunteer Achievement Award. Honors Sierra Club volunteers for a particular achievement of importance to the environment or to the Club. Up to three may be awarded annually.
Volunteer Service Award. Honors Sierra Club volunteers for strong and consistent commitment to the environment or the Club over an extended period of time. Up to five may be awarded annually.
William E. Colby Volunteer Leadership Award. The club’s top award for volunteer service. Honors volunteers for outstanding leadership, dedication and service to the Sierra Club. Acknowledges service within the Sierra Club's organizational structure but may include conservation achievements. The award honors William E. Colby, a longtime director and secretary of the Sierra Club. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors recommends nominees for this award.
VOLUNTEER AWARDS – OUTINGS
These awards honor Sierra Club volunteers for work done through Sierra Club outings programs
Madelyn Pyeatt Outdoors for All Award. Honors Club volunteers who have worked proactively to make outings more accessible and more inclusive for persons of any age. The award honors Madelyn Pyeatt, who co-founded the Inner-City Outings program (now Inspiring Connections Outdoors) to improve equitable access to nature for children and young adults from underserved communities. Includes a $500 award to further the work of the recipient(s).
Oliver Kehrlein Outings Leadership Award. Honors service to the Sierra Club Outings Program either at the local or national level over an extended period of time. The award honors Oliver Kehrlein, a longtime Club member from California who was deeply involved in the Outings Program, as well as other areas of the Club.
Outings for Action Award. Honors Sierra Club volunteers at any level who combine outings with education and/or advocacy work to connect people to local and/or national environmental issues.
AWARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
These awards honor persons in public service, either at the local, state or national level.
Edgar Wayburn Environmental Champion Award. The Sierra Club’s top award for persons in public service who have championed environmental causes. The award honors the late Dr. Edgar Wayburn, a five-term president of the Sierra Club, champion of public lands and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Environmental Achievement Award. Honors persons in public service for a particular action of singular importance to the environment or environmental justice. Up to three may be awarded annually.
Environmental Service Award. Honors persons in public service for strong and consistent commitment to the environment and/or environmental justice over a considerable period of time. Up to three may be awarded annually.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
The Chico Mendes Courage Award. Recognizes individuals or non-governmental organizations, outside the United States who have exhibited extraordinary courage and leadership, at the grassroots level, in the universal struggle to protect the environment.
EarthCare Award. Honors individuals, organizations, or agencies that have made unique contributions to international environmental protection and conservation.
Raymond J. Sherwin International Volunteer Award. Honors extraordinary work by Sierra Club volunteers in the areas of international environmental protection or environmental justice.
OTHER AWARDS
These awards could go to Sierra Club volunteers, but are not restricted to Sierra Club volunteers.
Ansel Adams Award - Photography. Honors an individual who has made superlative use of still photography to further an environmental cause.
Ansel Adams Award - Film. Honors an individual who has made superlative use of film or video to further an environmental cause.
Rachel Carson Award for Excellence in Environmental Writing or Journalism. Recognizes journalists or authors whose work has contributed to a better understanding of environmental issues.
Robert Bullard Environmental Justice Award. Honors individuals or groups that have done outstanding work in the area of environmental justice, either at the local or national level.
Sierra Club Changemaker of the Year Award. The highest award conferred by the Sierra Club. Honors individuals who have left a legacy of achievement in protecting the environment and working for environmental justice. Recipients receive life membership in the Sierra Club. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors recommends nominees for this award.
William O. Douglas Award. Recognizes those who have made outstanding use of the legal/judicial process to achieve environmental goals, particularly those with national significance. The award honors longtime Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who was an ardent advocate of environmentalism.