LWF’s conservationists of 2018

Katherine Gividen of Baton Rouge, president and founding member of the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, was presented the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Governor’s Award, honoring her as conservationist of 2018. The Governor’s Award is presented each year to the person, business or organization making the most outstanding contribution to the protection, wise use and enjoyment of Louisiana’s natural resources. The federation presented six other annual awards to individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts during an awards banquet in Baton Rouge. Additional awardees included * CITGO Petroleum Corp.’s refinery in Lake Charles was named Corporate Conservationist of the Year for its Caring for Our Coast Program in Louisiana. The program focuses on conservation and restoration work at the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. * The Audubon Nature Institute’s Youth Volunteer Corps in New Orleans as Youth Conservationists of the Year for 2018. * Sherrill Sagrera of Abbeville was named Volunteer Conservationist of the Year for her contributions to coastal restoration planning in southwest Louisiana. Sagrera has been a member of the Vermillion Parish Coastal Protection/Restoration Advisory Committee, Rainey Conservation Alliance board of directors, and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. * Thomas Christian “Chris” Pearce of Many was named Conservation Educator of the Year for his wildlife education career at the LSU AgCenter. * State Sen. Dan W. “Blade” Morrish ( R-Jennings) was named Elected Official Conservationist of the Year for his legislative efforts to protect and conserve the Sabine Lake oyster reef, which may be the largest unharvested shellfish reef in any temperate marine climate in the world. (Source: NOLA.com 05/07/19)