Two awards ceremonies Saturday evening, November 7th, highlight  substantive and dedicated lives of conservationists and innovators…

In Martinez in the East Bay, the 32nd Annual John Muir Conservation Awards were presented to:

Conservationist of the Year:  Jeff Alvarez, Wildlife Biologist

Environmental Education Conservation:  David Loeb, Publisher of Bay Nature Magzine, Bay Nature Institute

Nonprofit or Public Agency Conservation:  East Bay Regional Park District

(The nonprofit Worth A Dam, protecting the Martinez Beavers and Alhambra Creek was also a deserving nominee in this category!)

Business Conservation:   T. Marzetti Company

Famed Actor Lee Stetson was featured in a performance of “The Spirit of John Muir.”

North of the Golden Gate Bridge, in Sonoma County, the first annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards event was held at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor.  Sponsored by the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, award recipients were:

Ann Hancock (Environment)

Mark Inman (Economy)

Evelina Molina (Trailblazer)

Petaluma Bounty (Organization) (Way to go, Petaluma Bounty!)

Sonoma Mountain Village (Project)

Accountable Development Coalition for Sonoma Mountain Village Benefits Agreement (Also Project, shared with Sonoma Mountain Village).

David Orr, renowned scholar, was the featured speaker at this zero-waste, awards event.

Envision, believe, care, do, adapt, do more, envision, believe, do and adapt, achieve, rest, connect, begin again, feel like giving up, don’t, envision, believe, adjust, share, care, readjust, do, do more, live, care - an idea of the possible creative process of these amazing people and organizations.