~Theodore Roosevelt, 1912

Five individuals and one business will be honored on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, for their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation in the Southeast. The award reception will be a Green Tie Gala featuring Asheville chefs’ signature slow foods hors d'oeuvres, organic beer, and wine.

Why is Wild South presenting these Awards? Wild South is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower people to protect and restore the native ecosystems of the Southeast. Our mission, and that of our sister organizations, is realized only with the assistance of local businesses and dedicated individuals. Therefore, we will honor five environmental champions, bringing light to their work, their passions, their sacrifices and their momentous impacts.

Nominations were accepted July 7-August 15, 2009 in the categories of Outstanding Conservation Leader and Activist, Volunteer, Business, and Educator.

Victoria Adcock - Owner, Nutrinotes LLC
Margo Flood - Executive Dir., Warren Wilson's Enviro. Leadership Center
Linda Blue - Extension Horticultural Agent, Buncombe County
Bob Lantis - Founder & Chief Technical Officer, Aquasolix
The Rev. Canon Brian Cole - The Cathedral of All Souls
Peter Loewer - "The Wild Gardener"
Clara Curtis - Director of Design, North Carolina Arboretum
Ed Smith - Author and Entomologist
Virginia Dollar - Program Administrator, Community Foundation of WNC
Randy Talley - Co-Owner, The Green Sage