Now in its second century, the National Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitats that supports them. Audubon established the distinguished Rachel Carson Award (Rachel Carson was the famous conservationist who wrote Silent Spring – considered one of the books that helped launch the environmental movement) in 2004 to honor visionary women whose dedication has advanced conservation and environmental education locally and on a global scale.

The National Audubon Society honored six women with the Rachel Carson Award at its sixth annual Women in Conservation Luncheon on May 19, 2009.

The honorees were:

Dr. Sylvia Earle – Oceanographer, author, lecturer and National Geographic Explorer
Sally Jewell – President and CEO, Recreational Equipment, Inc
Elizabeth C. Titus Putnam – President / Founder, Student Conservation Association
Elizabeth Colleton – NBC’s “Green is Universal” initiative
Jane Evans – NBC’s “Green is Universal” initiative
Susan Haspel – NBC’s “Green is Universal” initiative