Five people were honored Wednesday by the Trust for Public Land at its annual Conservation Leadership Awards event.
The awards go to those who help preserve special places where “our families go to get outside and play, walk, fish, hunt, and enjoy nature,” said Susan Schmidt, The Trust for Public Land’s Minnesota state director.
This year’s awards went to:
- State Sen. Rod Skoe, a DFLer from Clearbrook, for helping protect La Salle Lake State Recreation Area.
- State Rep. Leon Lillie, a DFLers from North St. Paul, for working to protect critical habitat and to create parks and trails, including Mississippi River Northwoods, 2,000 acres and nearly three miles of undeveloped shoreline along the Mississippi River in Crow Wing County.
- St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter for his work on the Frogtown Park & Farm, a proposed park in St. Paul that will include an active play area, a nature preserve, and an urban demonstration farm to teach different farming traditions.
- Jenny Smith, Cycle Path & Paddle in Crosby, who worked on the Mississippi River Northwoods effort.
- Peggy Booth, a DNR Scientific and Natural Area program supervisor, who worked to protect many areas in the state, including Savage Fen, Franconia Bluffs, Lost Valley, Pine Bend Bluffs and Gaul Island.
