Since 2013, the North Carolina Longleaf Coalition has recognized significant accomplishments to longleaf conservation efforts in North Carolina through the Illustris Palustris Award. This annual award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to promote the maintenance and restoration of North Carolina’s Longleaf Pine ecosystem. Qualified nominees have gone “above-and-beyond” in their longleaf efforts through leadership, advocacy, and outreach.
Honorees are recognized at an award ceremony with a certificate and inclusion on the Illustris Palustris Pine Cone Award.
2013 | Susan Miller | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
2014 | Boon Chesson | Private Landowner |
2015 | Bill Pickens | NC Forest Service |
2016 | Brady Beck | NC Wildlife Resource Commission |
2017 | Lark Hayes | Lark Conservation Consulting LLC |
2018 | John Ann Shearer | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
2019 | Angie Carl | The Nature Conservancy |
Any interested party within the longleaf community may submit a candidate for consideration. Requests for nominations occur annually in June with the award recipient selected by the NCLC Steering Committee by late summer. Please fill out this nomination form if you are interested in nominated a worthy individual.