September 23, 2026 (Hallowell, ME) – Two land conservationists, a young writer and activist, a business leader committed to sustainability, a government policy expert, and a lifelong Allagash and river advocate were recently honored for their significant, long-lasting contributions to protecting the nature of Maine.
The Conservation Leadership Awards program, held Thursday, September 17 at Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment in Freeport, was presented by Maine’s leading nonprofit working to protect Maine’s environment, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). The event, Protecting What We Love, is held each year to celebrate all of the organization’s members and supporters, with special recognition given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to protecting Maine’s environment.
“We are so pleased to honor these individuals for the dedication and outstanding work protecting Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife through climate action, sustainability, and land conservation,” says NRCM Executive Director Justin Strasburger. “It is truly a pleasure to honor them for the dedication and outstanding work protecting Maine’s environment, for generations to come.”
This year’s presentation included a special award created in honor of NRCM’s retiring Senior Director of Advocacy Pete Didisheim, for his 30 years guiding efforts to secure some of the state’s most important conservation victories. These include establishment of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, restoration of the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers, and NRCM’s campaign bringing together a coalition of 520 organizations, businesses, and towns to pass the Maine Trails Bond, a first-ever, $30 million bond to support development and maintenance of Maine’s thousands of miles of outdoor recreation trails. The award is the Pete Didisheim Conservation Leadership Award for Advocacy.
Those honored by NRCM with 2026 Conservation Leadership Awards are:
- Rob Tod and Allagash Brewing Company, 2026 Conservation Leadership Award for their deep commitment to and national leadership in sustainability initiatives, including reducing waste, use of renewable energy, and sourcing local grains from Maine farmers
- Brynne Robbins, 2026 Conservation Leadership Award for her significant contribution as a young writer and activist, including by publishing important work on climate and energy issues
- Senator Stacy Brenner, 2026 Conservation Leadership Award for her outstanding service as a passionate, knowledgeable, and highly skilled lawmaker who has made a positive impact on Maine’s environment
- W. Donald Hudson, 2026 Conservation Leadership Award for Lifetime Achievementfor his decades of work protecting the Allagash and restoring the Penobscot, as well as his advocacy for Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, the Appalachian Trail, Baxter State Park, and much more
- Bambi Jones & Tracy Moskovitz, 2026 People’s Choice Awardfor their extraordinary contributions to Maine land conservation and nature education, including founding Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson
- Francesca Gundrum, 2026 Pete Didisheim Conservation Leadership Award for Advocacyfor her skilled advocacy, collaboration with partners, and dedication to advancing impactful solutions that will protect wildlife and safeguard Maine’s environment for generations to come
For more about this year’s Conservation Leadership Awards, including photos, citations, and remarks, visit nrcm.org/events/conservation-leadership-awards/.
For more than 30 years, NRCM’s Conservation Leadership Awards have recognized individuals and groups across the state who work to protect the natural resources that are so important for Maine’s economy and way of life. Past recipients include business owners Jim and Kathy Wellehan, natural history author Phyllis Austin, former Baxter State Park Director Buzz Caverly, Olympic champion/clean air activist Joan Benoit Samuelson, and more than a hundred other environmental heroes who have made a difference in their communities and beyond.
