Chapter Awards Nominations Are Open
The Michigan Chapter is pleased to announce that the nominations window for our Chapter Awards is officially open! Help us celebrate excellence by nominating individuals or teams who went above and beyond to make a meaningful impact on environmental protections or exploring and enjoying the outdoors this year. We invite members of our community to submit nominations using this form. Please submit nominations for Environmentalist of the year no later than February 20th, 2026. The deadline for all other awards is March 19th, 2026
Award Descriptions
Michigan Chapter Awards and Descriptions
(note: not all awards are given each year):
Jane Elder Environmentalist of the Year Award
In recognition of exceptional leadership in environmental protection in Michigan. This is the highest award presented by the Michigan Chapter.
Chairman's Award
Presented by the Chapter Chair to honor a Michigan Chapter leader for exceptional work in support of Sierra Club's work in Michigan.
Ed Steinman Digital Excellence Award (formerly Cyberpunk Award)
This award is given to recognize outstanding efforts by an volunteer activist to raise awareness and disseminate information about Michigan's environment by the use of electronic media.
Centennial Award
To recognize a dedicated long-time Sierra Club member. Issued only once in celebration of the Sierra Club's 100th Anniversary.
Bunyan Bryant Award
Awarded to recognize outstanding leadership in the field of environmental justice.
Burton V. Barnes Award
Established in 2004 to recognize academic excellence.
Trillium Award (formerly Cougar Award)
Established in 1993 to recognize outstanding efforts by or with students.
Environmental Journalism Award
For environmental reporting or editorials. As of 2000, we have both a broadcast award and a print journalism award.
Life of the Party Award
This award is given to gratefully acknowledge those volunteers who take seriously the Sierra Club's credo to enjoy the wild places of the Earth.
Marlene Fluharty Award
This award is given to a Chapter member who has served the Sierra Club on at least two levels (Group, Chapter &/or National) over an extended period of time and has made significant contributions or is responsible for a major project which has significantly benefited the Club.
Service Award
This is given to Chapter and Group volunteers and/or leaders who have contributed a significant amount of time and effort to the Club. No Service Awards will be given to active Chapter Executive Committee members except for a specific achievement or contribution.
Sylvania Award
Established in 1990, this award recognizes a Sierra Club volunteer who is new on the scene but who has already demonstrated great enthusiasm, hard work and dedication.
Vince Smith Award
Established in 1992, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Chapter outings program.
Virginia Prentice Award
This award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the preservation of wilderness and/or the protection of public lands in Michigan. This award is open to both members and non-members.
White Pine Award
Given to a non-member, organization or group that has shown extraordinary dedication to protection of the environment.
Please join us for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Annual Awards Ceremony on September 20, 205 at 1 p.m. at Kemeny Recreation Center (2260 S. Fort St., Detroit, MI 48217 ).
2025 Michigan Chapter Award Winners
In 2025 Sierra Club Michigan proudly recognized Dr. Dolores Leonard as the Jane Elder Environmentalist of the Year for her exceptional leadership in environmental protection in Michigan. Dr. Leonard is a longstanding leader in the 48217 area, fighting for environmental justice and legal protection from coal plants and other industrial polluters in River Rouge, a largely Black community, for decades. The tenacity of Dr. Leonard and community members, who teamed up with Sierra Club and Earthjustice in a Clean Air Act enforcement case, resulted in an agreement between Sierra Club and DTE Energy to provide $70 million in clean energy investments and funding for community projects in River Rouge, Ecorse, and Detroit.
The Michigan Chapter also recognized several additional awardees for their outstanding commitments to the organization:
Bunyan Bryant Award - Sergio Cira - Reyes, Climate Justice Catalyst at the Urban Core Collective
Environmental Journalism Award (3) - Interlochen Public Radio (Broadcast) &Nina Misuraca Ignaczak, Planet Detroit (Print), Knight Center for Environmental Journalism (Print)
White Pine Award - Mike Stout, Michigan Waterway Stewards
Sylvania Award - Brett Swanson, Crossroads Group
Chapter Service Award -Laurie Mercure
Group Service Award - Shirley Jackson, Crossroads Group
Ed Steinman Digital Excellence Award - Charlie Carpenter, Southeast Michigan Group
Burton V. Barnes Award - Jeffrey Insko, Professor of English at Oakland University
Trillium Award - John Pagel, Fisheries Technician, U.S.F.S.
Marlene Fluharty Award - Cheryl Ruble (Crossroads Group), Steven C. Brown (Huron Valley Group) and Craig Brainard
Vince Smith - Ken Jacobsen
Virginia Prentice Award - Dave Dempsey
Helen LeBlanc Excellence Award - Felicia Eshragh
Theodore Roosevelt Award - Mark Meadows