Honoree Receives Audubon/Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship
New York, NY: A Wilmington, North Carolina woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.
Dawn York is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.
York will focus her efforts on preserving 2,100 acre Eagles Island, which supports important populations of threatened and endangered species and is one of the last natural estuarine islands in North Carolina. The extraordinary efforts of the Eagles Island Coalition which includes New Hanover County Soil & Water Conservation District, Cape Fear Resource Conservation & Development, Cape Fear River Watch and other local have already preserved over 500 acres for which will Working with local communities, government agencies, conservation organizations and landowners, York will develop a conservation management plan for the island, create an informational website and brochure encouraging Wilmington residents to visit and learn about the island, and work to increase support for the island’s protection. Directly across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington, Eagles Island is a place that’s important for everyone – wildlife, plants, and people.
A Senior Coastal Biologist for Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, a coastal engineering firm, York has been involved in conservation efforts for a decade. Her dedication to protecting wildlife and natural habitats has taken her to the Bahamas, Ecuador, Washington and the wetlands and swamps of North Carolina, as she worked on biotic community research to assist State, Federal and local municipalities take conservation planning steps. In her current role, York has handled several large-scale projects that necessitate working with many lead state and federal agency representatives, non-profit organization leaders and local governments – helping them to become engaged and involved in coastal protection and planning.
“Dawn is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”
“I am honored to represent the state of North Carolina as a TogetherGreen Fellow,” said York. “I feel this opportunity will drive my momentum to make a difference in the continuing efforts for conserving Eagles Island. I am extremely optimistic the conservation management plan will lay a path for future conservation efforts and will bring groups together to work towards the common goal of protecting Eagles Island for generations.”
York has been affiliated with Cape Fear River Watch since 2007. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.
York received both a Masters degree in marine science and a Bachelors degree in biology and environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In addition to her duties as a coastal biologist at Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, York sits on the Board of Directors at Cape Fear River Watch and is a steward for the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.
“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”
A complete list of the 2008 TogetherGreen fellows can be found at www.TogetherGreen.org/fellows.
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Wilmington Woman Singled Out for Environmental Leadership
