Florida Chapter Awards
The Florida Chapter feels that recognition of the work of volunteers is a responsibility because volunteers are essential to the work of the club. Recognition of volunteers must begin at the group (local) level, and the chapter encourages every group to maintain an active awards program. Nominees for chapter awards are submitted by group leadership and support volunteers who have been recognized by their groups. For more information, email the Florida Chapter Awards Committee at mary-slater.linn@florida.sierraclub.org
See the list of award categories.
See the list of previous Florida Chapter Award winners.
Winners of the 2025 Florida Chapter Awards
(Presented in 2026)
Every year, Sierra Club Florida solicits nominations to recognize deserving members, supporters, and community organizations for their outstanding work advancing the mission and goals of the Sierra Club.
For 2025, we are proud to recognize the following honorees:
Manatee Award – Tom Jacobs
The Manatee Award honors a Group member who has provided outstanding service to their Group.
Tom Jacobs played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Big Bend Group. With patience and determination – and guidance from Grant Gelhardt, Ron Haines, and Craig Diamond – Tom immersed himself in the internal mechanics required to transition the Group back into full functionality.
He helped hold overdue elections, restart communications (including social media outreach), and stepped up as an Executive Committee member. Thanks to his leadership and dedication, the Big Bend Group is firmly on the road to recovery.
Indigo Award – Stephen Hudak
The Indigo Award honors a writer or journalist who provides balanced reporting on Florida’s environmental issues.
Stephen Hudak, a reporter with the Orlando Sentinel, demonstrated that the pen truly is mightier than the sword. Through persistent and thoughtful coverage of the proposed bear hunt, Stephen questioned the “science” behind permitting such a hunt, challenged official narratives, and elevated critical voices – including Susannah Randolph and Katrina Shaddix of Bear Warriors.
His reporting brought the issue to headline status and helped inform thousands of Floridians. Thank you, Stephen, for going beyond the “bear” facts.
Cypress Award – Gil Damon
The Cypress Award honors an individual who has significantly advanced environmental awareness in their community or across Florida.
Through his Downriver Project, Gil Damon – working alongside the Apalachicola Riverkeeper – was instrumental in halting a proposed oil and gas drilling project near the Apalachicola River, a critical fish spawning waterway.
With Sierra Club funding, Gil organized and distributed “Kill the Drill” signs and helped rally supporters on the steps of DEP headquarters. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection ultimately reversed its recommendation, and legislators Jason Shoaf and Allison Tant introduced legislation prohibiting drilling in the Apalachicola River Basin. The bill passed and was signed into law – a major victory for Florida’s waters.
Otter Award – Pam Maldonado
The Otter Award honors a member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their Group’s outings program.
Since 2014, Pam Maldonado has led hundreds of children on outings through one of Florida’s most active ICO programs. She consistently brings creativity and joy to every trip – from forest bathing with teenage girls sketching what they observe, to fossil hunting adventures that spark curiosity.
Pam also leads fundraising efforts for her ICO and has inspired others to become trip leaders. It’s been said that on outings, she “gets as excited as the kids” – and that enthusiasm is shaping the next generation of environmental stewards.
Cypress Award – Gabrielle Milch
For more than 20 years, Gabrielle Milch has worked to conserve and protect Florida’s waters.
During her time with the St. Johns Riverkeeper, she monitored private water utilities, educated communities about water sustainability and responsible landscaping practices, and helped enforce environmental protections.
Even in retirement, Gabrielle continues to support Sierra Club on water issues. She has coordinated a Master Gardener Program and serves on her local Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Her deep roots of service continue to strengthen Florida’s waterways.
Florida Black Bear Award – Sarah Younger & Rhonda Roff
Sarah Younger and Rhonda Roff are known as Sierra Club Florida’s “Mama Bears” for good reason.
Rhonda’s deep policy expertise and watchdog commitment to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), combined with Sarah’s strategic brilliance and creative public engagement, launched a powerful statewide, volunteer-led campaign to save Florida’s black bears.
They mobilized volunteers and partners to FWC meetings, generating massive public opposition to the hunt. They led weekly “Care Bears” strategy sessions to refine messaging and mobilization tactics.
After a 5–0 FWC vote approving the hunt, they doubled down. Sarah coined the now-viral phrase “Spare a Bear, Bag a Tag,” drawing national media attention. The permit lottery effort resulted in more than 163,000 entries – with at least 52 permits secured by individuals who refused to hunt.
They then led the “bear buses” to Tallahassee, mobilizing more than 200 advocates to call on Governor Ron DeSantis to “Stop the Hunt!”
When the hunt concluded, we learned their leadership had saved at least 120 bears. Their persistence, courage, and belief in collective action powered a campaign that succeeded against the odds. A big high “paw” five to Sarah and Rhonda.
Florida Black Bear Award – Ron Haines
The Florida Black Bear Award also honors a member with an outstanding record of leadership and dedicated service to the Chapter.
Ron Haines is truly the “go-to” leader for Sierra Club Florida. With deep knowledge of Sierra Club governance, organizational processes, and Group support systems, Ron consistently strengthens our Chapter’s foundation.
As a member of the Group Empowerment Team, he ensures Groups have access to resources, guidance, and accountability. He has supported Chapter Executive Committee requirements and provided hands-on leadership to struggling Groups across the state – from Big Bend to Calusa to Miami.
Ron’s steady leadership helps ensure Sierra Club Florida can continue to Enjoy, Explore, and Protect our environment.
Cypress Award – Jessica Namath
Jessica Namath, alongside Miccosukee tribal leader Betty Osceola, documented the rapid conversion of a little-used training airport into the federal detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” near Big Cypress National Preserve.
For months, Jessica and Betty live-streamed the constant flow of dump trucks, heavy machinery, generators, diesel fuel tankers, construction lights, and buses transporting detainees. Their documentation exposed the reality on the ground and directly challenged Governor DeSantis’ claim of “zero environmental impact.”
Jessica’s documentation and in-person testimony were instrumental in convincing Judge Williams to issue a temporary restraining order on the facility. Her work demonstrates the power of bearing witness – and speaking truth to power.