The Natural Resources Council of Maine has received many honors and awards for our work protecting the nature of Maine. We thank all of the groups who have named NRCM as a recipient of their award and share our commitment to keeping Maine’s environment clean and healthy.
2022 - NRCM received ecomaine's eco-Excellence Award for our work to pass the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging law.
Sustainable Maine Director Sarah Nichols is featured in this award video for her indispensable role in crafting, shepherding, and stewarding this first-in-the-nation law.
2015 - NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann received a Women in Conservation Award from the National Wildlife Federation.
2012 - Green Building Advocate of the Year from the Maine chapter of the US Green Building Council for all of our work, but especially on energy, energy-efficient building codes, toxics, and Forest Stewardship Certification.
2011 - NRCM's executive director Brownie Carson received the Lifetime Achievement Environmental Merit Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency on May 11, 2011. Brownie retired after 27 years as NRCM's executive director earlier that year.
2008 - Along with the other members of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust received a 2008 Cooperative Conservation Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The award recognizes the unprecedented collaboration to restore 11 species of sea-run fish while rebalancing hydropower generated on the river.
2007 - NRCM received a Climate Protection Award from the Climate Protection Partnerships Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to the EPA, the prestigious award “is given to recognize exceptional leadership, outstanding innovation, personal dedication, and technical achievements in protecting the climate.” NRCM was selected for its work demonstrating the effects sea-level rise resulting from global warming would have on the Maine coast.
Candidates for the EPA’s Climate Protection Award are selected from all over the world. The EPA says winners are chosen based originality and public purpose; persuasive, moral, or organizational leadership; global perspective and implication, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA assembles an international panel of judges from government, industry, and non-governmental sectors. The panel advises, and the EPA makes the final selections.
In addition to NRCM, winners for 2007 include Robert Redford, Staples, and 11 other individuals, businesses, and organizations from around the globe.
2005 – Common Good Award given by Bowdoin College to executive director Brownie Carson for “extraordinary, profound, and sustained commitment to the common good, in the interest of society, with conspicuous disregard for personal gain in wealth or status.”
Brownie Carson receives the 2005 Down East Award from Governor John Baldacci at the Blaine House in Augusta
2005 – Down East magazine’s Environmental Award given to executive director Brownie Carson for environmental leadership in the state of Maine.
2005 – National Wildlife Federation’s Special Achievement Award given to executive director Brownie Carson for his “sustained conservation commitment and accomplishment.”
2002 – Wildlands Protection Award from the Northern Forest Alliance for NRCM’s work to protect the Baxter State Park Wildlands of the Northern Forest.
1999-2000 – The Kennebec Coalition, which includes NRCM, is a recipient of the 1999-2000 Gulf of Maine Visionary Award. The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment gave the award to the Kennebec Coalition for its 10-year effort to remove Edwards Dam and restore a stretch of the Kennebec River
1999 – Chosen as the League of Conservation Voters’ “Group of the Month.”
1999 – Popular Science Award to Kennebec Coalition for Edwards Dam removal.
1999 – Affiliate of the Year Award from the National Wildlife Federation. NRCM is recognized for our noteworthy accomplishments in the effort to remove the Edwards Dam and reduce toxic pollution in Maine.
1999 – Affiliate of the Year Award from the Atlantic Salmon Federation for the NRCM-backed Kennebec Coalition’s efforts to remove the Edwards Dam.
1998 – Certificate of Appreciation from United States Environmental Protection Agency New England Regionpresented to Maine Forest Biodiversity Project in recognition of demonstrated commitment and significant contributions to the environment.
1997 – Certificate of Recognition and induction into the Grassroots Hall of Fame from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice for Natural Resources Council of Maine’s distinguished effort to attain environmental justice in their community.
1997 – Certificate of Recognition from EPA’s Transportation Partners presented to Natural Resources Council of Maine for making smart moves for healthier transportation choices in Maine.
1997 – The New England Wild Flower Society presented the Maine State Award to Catherine Johnson, staff attorney for NRCM, for being an effective advocate for open space, healthy forests, and viable plant habitats.
1996 – Certificate of Recognition from EPA’s Transportation Partners presented to NRCM for making smart moves for healthier transportation choices in Maine.
1993 – The Natural Resources Council of Maine, along with the Maine Metal Products Association and three state agencies, received the Special Teamwork Award from Governor John McKernan for the Council’s collaborative toxics use reduction project with Maine’s metal product industry.
1993 – The Maine Transit Association awarded Beth Nagusky, staff attorney for NRCM, the Friend of Transit award for her work in founding the State’s Sensible Transportation Policy.
1993 – Patagonia, Inc. chose NRCM’s efforts to restore the Kennebec River by removing Edwards Dam in Augusta for its national campaign on saving wild salmon and other important fish species threatened by dams.
1993 – The Bicycle Coalition of Maine recognizes NRCM for their collaborative efforts to promote bicycle access, safety and education in Maine.
1992 – Best Bet for 1992 for Environmental Leadership from the Center for Policy Alternatives ( Washington, D.C.) for Initiative to Stop Expansion of Maine Turnpike
1992 – New England Environmental Network Environmental Leadership Award presented to the Campaign for Sensible Transportation for outstanding contributions to New England environmental leadership.
1992 – Maine Association of Planners Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Planning Field to Natural Resources Council of Maine for “Sprawl Stoppers.”
1991 – Maine Times The Best of Maine Readers’ Choice First Place for Environmental Organizations
1990 – Maine Association of Planners Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Planning Field to NRCM for “A Sense of Place.”
1989 – Maine Public Health Association’s Ruth S. Shaper Memorial Award – awarded for outstanding leadership in protecting the health of citizens of Maine through its advocacy for environmental health.
1985 – Down East magazine Environmental Award to NRCM for outstanding contribution to preserving Maine’s environmental heritage.
1983 – Silver Trout Award from Trout Unlimited Sunkhaze Stream Chapter – for outstanding contributions to the conservation of the cold water fisheries of Maine.
1982 – Distinguished Service Award from the National Wildlife Federation for outstanding contributions to the wise use and management of the nation’s natural resources.
1970 – Award of Merit from American Association of Conservation Information for our continuing efforts to educate Maine citizens in the value of their state’s natural resources.
1969 – Conservation Award from the National Wildlife Federation presented to Natural Resources Council of Maine for distinctive service.
1966 – Conservation Award from the New England Outdoor Writer’s Association for outstanding achievement
1965 – Conservation Service Citation from the National Wildlife Federation for outstanding and distinguished service in the field of natural resource management.
