During its annual awards ceremony, held on September 12 in San Francisco, the Sierra Club honored a group of activists, writers, photographers, and government officials who have worked passionately for the planet.

ANSEL ADAMS AWARD for use of photography to further a conservation cause

BOYD NORTON, FOUNDER OF SERENGETI WATCH

DAVID R. BROWER AWARD for environmental reporting

ALAN RUSBRIDGER, FORMER EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE GUARDIAN

DENNY AND IDA WILCHER AWARD for achievement in membership development or fundraising

SIERRA CLUB OHIO CHAPTER AND THE SEATTLE INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOORS PROGRAM

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for action of singular importance to conservation by a public official

INDIANAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ZACH ADAMSON

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD for commitment to conservation by a public official

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY MUSHINSKY (D-CONN.) AND DALTON McGUINTY, FORMER ONTARIO PREMIER

EARTHCARE AWARD for unique contribution to international conservation

ROGER PAYNE, FOUNDER OF OCEAN ALLIANCE

EDGAR WAYBURN AWARD for outstanding environmental service by a government official

SENATOR HARRY REID (D-NEV.)

ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE AWARD for forging partnerships to achieve environmental goals

KAY GATES, SIERRA CLUB LOXAHATCHEE GROUP VOLUNTEER

MADELYN PYEATT AWARD for working with youths

FRANCES "SPARKY" SOTCHER, INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOORS PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

OLIVER KEHRLEIN AWARD for Outings programs service

BILL AND MARILYN GIFFORD, OUTINGS LEADERS

RAYMOND J. SHERWIN INTERNATIONAL AWARD for international conservation

DAVE RANEY, ADVOCATE FOR CORAL REEF PROTECTION

ROBERT BULLARD ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AWARD for outstanding environmental justice work

JUAN PARRAS, FOUNDER OF TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for single act of conservation or Club service

DON STEINKE, SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON VICE CHAIR, AND JIM REYNOLDS, NORTH CAROLINA VICE CHAIR 

SPECIAL SERVICE AWARDS for strong and consistent commitment to conservation

HENRY FANSLER, BOB HASTINGS, AND ALAN HAUSRATH (NORTH CAROLINA, ALABAMA, AND IDAHO CHAPTERS)

SUSAN E. MILLER AWARD for administrative contributions to Club chapters and groups

BETSY JOHNSON, MARYLAND CHAPTER POLITICAL CHAIR

WALTER A. STARR AWARD for continuing work and support of the Club by a former director

VIVIEN LI, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER 1986-1992

WILLIAM E. COLBY AWARD for Club leadership, dedication, and service

LUTHER DALE, NORTH STAR CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

WILLIAM O. DOUGLAS AWARD for outstanding use of legal process to achieve national environmental goals

MAXINE LIPELES, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW PROFESSOR

This article appeared as "The Sierra Club Celebrates This Year's Eco-Heroes" in the January/February 2016 print edition of Sierra.