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Land Trust Board Member Receives President's Volunteer Service Award
On March 21, 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson honored Robert E. Fairbank, Jr. with the President's Volunteer Service Award at the National Water Infrastructure Conference in Atlanta. Fairbank has been an active volunteer and leader in Mississippi and throughout the southeast as President of the Wolf River Conservation Society, where he helped preserve more than 2,500 acres of river bank along 24 miles on both sides of the Wolf River. The Wolf River Conservation Society was also instrumental in forming two additional land trusts in South Mississippi, which have prospered and protected additional valuable wetlands and green spaces in communities throughout South Mississippi. "Today we honor Bob Fairbank for answering President Bush's call to serve a cause greater than himself," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Dedicated volunteers like Bob are inspiring others to join them in delivering America a brighter, healthier future." Under Fairbank's leadership, the Wolf River Conservation Society supported passage of Mississippi's Scenic Stewardship Stream program and designation of Wolf River as Mississippi's first designated scenic stream. He led a multi-state land trust coalition involving Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida to coordinate with the Land Trust Alliance to sponsor workshops, training and education conferences for conservation professionals. Fairbank has served as President of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and was honored as their Conservationist of the Year. He also headed Keep Mississippi Beautiful and has received Volunteer of the Year awards from the Mississippi Nature Conservancy and the Wolf River Conservation Society. The President's Volunteer Service Award was created by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov. (posted 3/23/07) | ||
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