2024 Conservationist of the Year Award

Northeast Wilderness Trust

The Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) has been steadily working to protect and restore Northeast wildlands through land conservation and open space protection. Last year, NEWT successfully added key parcels in the Adirondack Park to its protected portfolio. From the Five Ponds Wilderness to the Champlain Valley, NEWT has worked tirelessly to increase permanent wilderness protection on private lands across the Adirondack region that complement the Forever Wild Forest Preserve. We salute the entire organization for their work in preserving the ecological integrity and wild character of key properties across the Northeast.

Special Recognition Award

Benita Law-Diao

Benita Law-Diao is a dedicated activist on environmental and social justice issues. In addition to her more than 30-year career as a NYS Licensed Public Health Nutritionist/Dietitian connecting New Yorkers to adequate nutrition, Benita has worked in the environmental space to increase access to and promote environmental stewardship in the Adirondacks and beyond. She is an Outdoor Afro Leader for Albany and Upstate NY, bringing people of all backgrounds to the Adirondacks for connection to nature, community and fun. In 2022, Benita was appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to the Adirondack Park Agency board where she has brought her state agency, recreation and environmental experience to the complex issues that come before the Agency. Among her many other roles, Benita works with John Brown Lives!, Adirondack Experience, Eagle Island Camp, and is a Master Gardener.