Since 2017, the Climate + Energy has recognized individuals and organizations who are leading the way to a clean energy future. Among the 2019 winners is Mary Fund, Executive Director for the Kansas Rural Center who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at CEP’s annual awards ceremony Sept. 30 in Lawrence, Ks.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose work resulted in positive long term, broad impacts in climate, energy and environmental issues across the state. According to CEP’s news release, “Mary has dedicated her career to a sustainable agriculture and rural communities, working for nearly 40 years to raise issues of environmental concern- from clean energy to clean water, healthy soils to local foods, and more. Mary never shies away from the important, if controversial issues, including most recently highlighting climate change in town halls across the state. Her no nonsense, common-sense approach has been foundational to conversations about environmental issues around the state for decades.”

Other award winners were Kim Bellemere, Outreach Director for the Grassland Heritage Foundation, as the Mark Richardson Sustainer Award, a volunteer-recognition award for an individual who has regularly engaged with CEP for at least 5 years. The Merc Co+Op in Lawrence and Metro KC Climate Action Coalition received the Changemaker Award, given in recognition of an organization(s) whose recent work has significantly advanced climate, energy and or environmental issues in Kansas. The Merc has elevated solar power and electric vehicles as clean energy solutions through installation of solar panels at their Lawrence store and electric vehicle charging stations. Metro KC Climate Action Coalition has provided a vehicle to bring together diverse local elected officials to tackle climate change at the local and state level, and lead the conversation about regional climate change solutions.