ConservAmerica recognized Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado for their commitment to environmental protection and economic prosperity at its annual gala dinner Wednesday evening. ConservAmerica President Jeff Kupfer presented Senators Collins and Gardner with the organization’s Congressional Champion Award in appreciation for their continued dedication to conservation.
“The Congressional Champion Award is given to lawmakers who demonstrate a commitment to environmental and conservation policies that reflect the values and traditions we share as Americans, including a belief in personal freedom and individual responsibility, free markets and competition, private property rights, a love of the great outdoors and a desire to enhance and protect our lands and waters now and for future generations,” Kupfer said. “Balancing these values requires recognition that a healthy environment and a strong economy are not mutually exclusive, but inextricably linked.”
This is the first year ConservAmerica has issued the Congressional Champion Award, its top annual honor.
“The Republican Party have a long history of sound environmental stewardship and a proud tradition of supporting innovative solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges. We recognize that the best way to address these challenges is through pragmatic, market-based solutions and belief in government that is responsive to local concerns,” Kupfer said. “Senators Collins and Gardner exemplify those values and we are honored to recognize them for their work.”
Senator Collins, who was introduced by ConservAmerica board member Trammell Crow, was recognized for her efforts to advance commonsense environmental, conservation and energy legislation, including promoting the transition to a lower-carbon economy and the creation of renewable energy jobs. Collins’ Better Energy Storage Technology Act is crucial to the advancement of storage technology and is one of ConservAmerica’s top legislative priorities this year. Collins has also championed important conservation legislation, including the Restore Our Parks Act, which supports reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and the Save Our Seas Act 2.0 to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
Senator Gardner has been dedicated to balancing environmental, energy and economic obligations throughout his career, including his time as a congressional staffer. As a senator, Gardner has continued to support an all-of-the-above approach to energy policy, embracing both America’s traditional and renewable energy resources. He’s been a staunch supporter of legislative efforts to improve energy efficiency and develop advanced energy technologies.
Gardner was introduced Wednesday evening by ConservAmerica board member Gibson McKay, who commended Gardner for being a reliable partner in the Senate on many important conservation initiatives, including the Restore Our Parks Act with Senator Collins. Gardner is also a longtime proponent of active forest management practices that promote healthy wildlife habitat, protects watersheds and decreases the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
Senators Collins and Gardner both championed permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides funding for state grant programs to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities at the state and local levels including local parks and ballfields, habitat protection and other efforts to conserve special places for public access.