Former Wayne Law dean honored as Environmentalist of the Year

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been selected as Sierra Club’s 2020 Environmentalist of the Year in Michigan for her extraordinary work in safeguarding democracy during this year’s historic elections. 

Environmentalist of the Year is Michigan Sierra Club’s highest honor and for the first time in the award’s 30-year history it recognizes the critical importance of elections and voting in protecting the state’s environment.   Sixteen others also received awards this year honoring their work on behalf of Michigan’s environment and public health.

“Over the past four years, we have clearly seen that protecting our democracy is key to protecting both people and the environment,” said Courtney Hight, national Democracy Program Director for Sierra Club. “Thanks to Secretary Benson’s unwavering leadership this year, Michigan’s elections were safe and secure, the voters were able to elect climate champions, and our American democracy is stronger.”

In addition to Environmentalist of the Year, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is honoring more than a dozen other Sierra Club volunteers for their contributions and also recognized the non-profit news site, Michigan Advance, with the 2020 Environmental Journalism Award for the Advance’s outstanding reporting on the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline controversy and “regularly engaging readers with compelling and approachable stories about a controversial pipeline that at any point in time could rupture and create an environmental and economic disaster.” 

“In this most challenging of years, it is particularly important to honor those among us who overcome all obstacles and stand out in protecting our Great Lakes environment,” said Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director.  “They are Michigan heroes and we are grateful for what they do day in and day out to ensure our state is a better place.”

Other 2020 Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Award recipients:

Terri Wilkerson of Pinckney was instrumental in securing resources and working with Michigan tribal members on a project that led to the discovery of  ancient circles and lines of stone in the Straits of Mackinac that were likely left by early indigenous peoples of the region. She will receive the White Pine Award for environmental leadership for her work in connection with the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline threat.  

Mike Wilczynski of Brighton, a retired senior geologist with the former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, received the Virginia Prentice Award for protecting Michigan wilderness and other ecologically sensitive areas by providing expertise to local groups and governments confronting pollution impacts of aggregate mining as well as his contributions in support of science-based accountability related to Enbridge’s proposal to construct an Line 5 oil tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. 

Sustainability educator and community activist Deitra Covington of Novi is the recipient of the Marlene Fluharty Award. Covington, co-chair of the Michigan Chapter, is being recognized for her Sierra Club leadership in Michigan and at the national level, including developing the Race & Privilege Workgroup to address racial and environmental justice and Sierra Club’s work.

Vicki Dobbins, a River Rouge resident, is being honored with the Bunyan Bryant Environmental Justice Award. She was recently featured in the New York Times story, In the Shadows of America’s Smokestacks and was a key witness in a groundbreaking settlement with DTE Energy that resulted in a commitment to retire three coal plants.

Port Huron’s Marty Habalewsky was selected to receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award for political leadership.  Habalewsky pioneered Sierra Club’s work in the Port Huron area and has been a leader with the Michigan Chapter Political and Legislative committees. A savvy communicator, Habalewsky has skillfully found common ground and made inroads with moderates, conservatives, and local business leaders in a crucial corner of Michigan.

A little over a  year ago, Tiffany Stewart of Milford, who leads the Environmental Council of the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, took over as co-chair of the Sierra Club Crossroads Group’s Political Committee. In that time she transformed it into a dynamic group that gets things done. Stewart is honored with the Sylvania Award, given to a new Sierra Club volunteer demonstrating exceptional leadership.

In the effort to shut down Enbridge Line 5, Oil & Water Don’t Mix has been much of the public face of the seven-year campaign that recently resulted in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revoking Enbridge’s Line 5 operating agreement.  Traverse City’s Bill Latka has been the digital genius behind the organization’s web site, digital organizing and other online efforts and receives the 2020 Sierra Club Digital Advocacy Award.

Getting outside and connecting people with nature is the Sierra Club volunteer work of Gloria Bublitz whose contributions to outings in the Flint area is being recognized with the Vince Smith Award.

A trio of interns will receive the Trillium Award recognizing the contributions of young people to Sierra Club.  Sara Millies-Lucke, Elizabeth Boman and Keegan Sullivan will be honored for their research, digital and social media work over the past year.

Editing the twice-monthly Michigan Chapter Update newsletter is a critically important volunteer-led effort and in 2020 a trio of volunteers are being honored for that effort:  Lindsay Frigon, Mike Thomas and Erica Hammill will receive Chapter Service Awards for their outstanding work as newsletter editors.

A virtual awards event in January will be held at a date to be determined to celebrate this year’s honorees.