News
Statewide honors celebrate landscape-scale protections, all-volunteer leadership, and innovative community engagement.
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Excellence in Conservation Awards. This annual program recognizes the visionary individuals, high-impact projects, and collaborative partnerships that are safeguarding Connecticut’s natural heritage and strengthening local communities.
“This year’s award winners represent the very best of Connecticut’s conservation movement,” said Amy Paterson, CLCC Executive Director. “From historic landscape-scale protections to creative programs that connect literature with land, these leaders prove that conservation is most powerful when it is rooted in community and collaboration.”
The 2026 honorees were officially recognized during the Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, the state’s largest gathering of land trust and environmental professionals.
2026 Award Recipients
Katchen Coley Award for Excellence in Conservation: Anthony Irving (Lyme Land Trust)
For over 40 years, Anthony “Tony” Irving has been a foundational pillar of conservation in Lyme. As a multi-term President of the Lyme Land Trust, he helped preserve over 4,000 acres and was instrumental in securing the federal Wild & Scenic Partnership River designation for the Eightmile River. His legacy is defined by a hands-on commitment to stewardship and his belief that conservation is a lifelong bond between land and people.
Excellence in Conservation Organization Award: Warren Land Trust
Despite being an entirely all-volunteer organization, the Warren Land Trust recently completed the permanent protection of 350 acres within the Lake Waramaug watershed. These technically complex acquisitions—Tanner Farm and Mountain Lake Preserve—protect critical cold-water fisheries and prime farmland, showcasing the monumental impact of dedicated volunteer leadership.
Excellence in Community Engagement Award: East Haddam Land Trust & East Haddam Library System
Recognized for the Words from the Woods Book Circle, Gaynell Meij and Evelyn Morgen created a unique monthly program connecting literature to ecology. By discussing nature-themed poetry and books on soil and wildlife, they have successfully engaged new residents and built deep community ties through the power of shared reading.
Special Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration: Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance
In a once-in-a-generation achievement, this eight-organization coalition moved across state lines to protect 1,200 acres spanning Connecticut and Massachusetts. This “landscape-scale” victory secured a vital forest corridor linking the Housatonic Valley to northern habitats, proving the strength of regional partnership.
Conservation Hero Award: Doris Johnson (CT DEEP)
As the Outreach and Education Coordinator for CT DEEP’s Environmental Justice Program, Doris Johnson has mentored over 10,000 youth and served as a critical resource for municipalities facing environmental health challenges. Her retirement marks the conclusion of a career defined by an unwavering commitment to equity and community education.
Conservation Hero Award: Elisabeth Moore (Connecticut Farmland Trust)
In her 25-year career, Elisabeth Moore has personally overseen the preservation of 75 family farms. As Executive Director of the Connecticut Farmland Trust and a longtime CLCC board member, her expertise has been essential in protecting the working lands that define Connecticut’s character and food security.