(Freeport, ME) – Mainers have always had a strong environmental ethic, and that was certainly reflected in the seven Mainers honored by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) for their significant, lasting contributions to safeguarding Maine’s environment.
Each year, NRCM honors a small group of Maine’s volunteer environmental leaders with a Conservation Leadership Award and presents a People’s Choice Award to a person or group nominated and voted on by NRCM members and the public. The 2025 awardees included a youth climate activist, grassroots leader fighting single-use plastic, scientists, and wind turbine researchers.
The 2025 winners were recognized at NRCM’s annual Protecting What We Love event hosted at Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment at its stunning Smith Center for Education & Research.
- Maya Kellett, for her leadership role in climate organizing and her persistent efforts to engage youth in climate activism throughout politically tumultuous times.
- Pat Ianni, for her tireless efforts to address the problem of single-use plastics within her community and her dedication to the successful implementation of Maine’s Product Stewardship Program for Packaging.
- John Hagan, for his work to identify and protect Maine’s last remaining late-successional and old-growth forests, which are critical for wildlife habitat, biological diversity, carbon sequestration, and Maine’s natural heritage.
- Habib Dagher and Anthony Viselli, for their outstanding research and dedication to floating offshore wind technology and in developing an offshore wind industry for Maine, a cornerstone of our state’s efforts to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, stabilize energy prices, and fight climate change.
- Nick Bennett, Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly three decades as one of Maine’s top environmental advocates, providing leadership and passion that has made an enormous difference in protecting Maine’s woods, waters, fisheries, and wildlife.
- Marcel Polak, NRCM People’s Choice Award, selected by popular vote, for his lifetime of visionary land conservation work in western Maine, including co-founding the Mahoosuc Land Trust.
“Each one of these awardees has turned their passion for Maine’s outdoors into action, helping create healthier communities and a more vibrant environment for us all,” said NRCM Senior Director of Advocacy Pete Didisheim. “We’re proud to stand together with our seven awardees and honor their powerful achievements for Maine’s environment.”
