We are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award–download the form now!
The annual Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award recognizes significant contributions in the protection and stewardship of the natural environment of the North Olympic Peninsula.
The award pays tribute to Eleanor Stopps, whose vision, advocacy and determination exemplify the power and importance of community leadership.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, Eleanor Stopps was an active member of the Pacific Northwest conservation community. Stopps founded the Admiralty Audubon Chapter and took over the work of Zella Schultz to protect the nesting habitat for 72,000 pairs of seabirds nesting on Protection Island. She was also a tireless educator working with groups of students and Girl Scouts to raise environmental awareness.
Eleanor showed that one committed person can make a lasting difference. This award recognizes individuals whose leadership, stewardship, advocacy, education, or conservation efforts have made meaningful contributions to the environment and communities of the North Olympic Peninsula.
Established in 2005, the Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award continues to celebrate environmental leadership on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award is given annually to a resident (groups not eligible) of the North Olympic Peninsula (Jefferson and Clallam counties) who has:
- Led a successful resource conservation effort that benefits the North Olympic Peninsula and its residents directly;
- Acted as a community catalyst for programs, initiatives or ventures that demonstrate a commitment to the future of the earth and its biodiversity;
- Become a model for future leaders in business and education;
- or have been an exemplary community member or policy maker who has implemented decisions that, though they may entail risks, have helped our communities take the next step towards environmental sustainability.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award–click below to download the form!
Eleanor Stopps
Environmental Leadership Award
Winners
2005 – present
- 2005: Katherine Baril, educator and planner Washington State University
- 2006: Anne Murphy, Executive Director, Port Townsend Marine Science Center
- 2007: Tom Jay and Sara Mall Johani, artists and environmentalists
- 2008: Al Latham, Jefferson County Conservation District Ranger
- 2009: Peter Bahls, NW Watershed Institute
- 2010: Sarah Spaeth, Executive Director, Jefferson Land Trust
- 2011: Dick & Marie Goins, salmon habitat restoration activists
- 2012: Judith Alexander, community catalyst for NW Earth Institute, Local 20/20, and EarthDay EveryDay
- 2013: Rebecca Benjamin, Executive Director, North Olympic Salmon Coalition
- 2014: Ray Lowrie, salmon advocate and environmental educator
- 2015: Jude Rubin, co-founder of the Northwest Watershed Institute
- 2016: Dr. Pete Schroeder, marine mammal veterinarian
- 2017: Dr. John Fabian, Astronaut and founder of the Hood Canal Coalition
- 2018: Sarah Doyle, North Olympic Salmon Coalition & Dr. Eloise Kailin, co-founder of Olympic Environmental Council
- 2019: Cheri Scalf, Wild Olympic Salmon, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- 2021: Connie Gallant, the Olympic Forest Coalition, the Olympic Park Associates, the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, the North Olympic Group of the Sierra Club, the Olympic Forest Collaborative
- 2022: Lorna Smith, Western Wildlife Outreach, Olympic Forest Coalition, Jefferson Planning Commission, Jefferson County Conservation Futures Committee
- 2023: Kevin Long, North Olympic Salmon Coalition
- 2024: Jill Silver, 10,000 Years Institute
- 2025: Erik Kingfisher, Jefferson Land Trust