Last Saturday night’s Environmental Stewardship Awards gala at the South Carolina Aquarium was an evening of elegance and style. For a second year, the SC Aquarium recognized exceptional people and organizations who have demonstrated dedication to protecting natural resources.
The red carpet was rolled out for a room full of supporters, including Dr. John and Carol Feussner, Carol and David Rawle, John Kresse, Mary Alice Monroe, and many other notables. Guests were treated to an exquisite dinner by the Charleston Place Hotel and danced to sounds of the high energy band, The Wallers.
The awards ceremony recognized many well-deserved recipients: The Legacy award went to Senator and Mrs. Ernest F. Hollings—the latter a founding member of the Aquarium’s Board of Directors and instrumental in its early success and the former a legendary statesman who has contributed countless conservation victories to South Carolina. Ms. Mary Jackson, founder of the Mount Pleasant Basketmakers Association, was honored for her advocacy in preserving the centuries-old tradition of sweetgrass basketmaking and the protection of the habitat of this indigenous grass. Also honored with the Leadership award was Mepkin Abbey for being a key participant in protecting thousands of acres of critical habitat and natural resources in Berkeley County. On August 15, 2006, Mepkin Abbey signed a conservation easement on 3,128 acres owned by the monastery, protecting the land from commercial development in perpetuity.
Congrats to all of the award recipients for a job well done. GO GREEN!
