LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Today, the Nevada Conservation League proudly announced award winners who will be honored as environmental champions at the annual Home Means Nevada Awards Dinner. The three award categories are the Harry Reid Lifetime Achievement Award, Green Guardian Award, and Green Business of the Year Award.
The Home Means Nevada Awards Dinner is the organization’s yearly fundraising gala celebrating legislative progress for our environment and recognizes exceptional community leaders who work to better protect our climate, air, water, land, and health. This year’s keynote address will be given by Governor Steve Sisolak.
The award winners are listed as follows:
The Harry Reid Lifetime Achievement Award prestigiously honors individuals dedicated to the protection and improvement of our state’s natural resources & outdoor spaces, investments in clean & renewable energy economy and jobs, and the overall protection of Nevada’s environment. This award will be presented to Robert Buntjer. Robert’s appreciation for the outdoors is rooted in his youth, where he spent his summers working on his family’s ranch in Wyoming, learning about the land, wildlife, and its preservation. As an adult, Robert studied geological engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and then later joined the electrical industry, becoming an electrical apprentice and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 357. As a member for 46 years, he oversaw the construction of a variety of electric work in Southern Nevada, including power generating plants, off-grid battery storage facilities, solar farms, and wind turbine installation. During the last 15 years, before retiring, he was the Assistant Training Director for the IBEW Electrical Apprenticeship where he oversaw, instructed, and developed courses in renewable energy, solar energy, wind turbine energy, battery storage banks, electric vehicles, high voltage splicing, OSHA, and more. Passionate about expanding renewable energy projects, Robert joined Nevada Conservation League, serving as the organization’s C-3 Board Chairman and board member.
The Green Guardian Award celebrates the work and achievements of an organization or individual dedicated to protecting our environment through research, projects, everyday work tasks, volunteerism, funding, or programming. This award will be given to Dr. Mary L. House. Dr. House’s story is one of overcoming poverty, nurturing a strong family, owning successful businesses, and helping her husband and pastor Bishop Clinton House Sr. build the congregation of Mountaintop Faith Ministries in Las Vegas. In 1996, she co-founded the faith-based nonprofit community organization CHR, Inc. to help families of the unemployed, and underemployed; as well as women who are survivors of domestic violence in Southern Nevada. In her role, she has spent years educating community members about environmental justice and clean energy, and participates in public forums to advocate for stronger climate policies that center low-income communities and communities of color.
Through the fostering of healthy and lasting environments, the Green Business of the Year Award is given to a business who continually go above and beyond the current dictated environmental conservation standards and often influence other companies to do the same. This year, we are honoring one of America’s most respected outdoor brands: Patagonia, a company “in business to save our home planet.” What began as a small business project led by outdoor enthusiast and environmentalist, Yvon Chouinard, turned into a lasting impact. In a world of rapid consumption, Patagonia recognizes that one of the most direct ways to limit ecological impacts is with goods that last for generations or that can be recycled. In alignment with their dedication to being environmentally and socially responsible, Patagonia follows a circular economy business model, and is dedicated to ensuring good labor conditions for their workers and farmers under their Regenerative Organic Certified Program. Patagonia is also a proud partner in environmental activism and has supported various pro-conservation bills at the Nevada Legislature including the nation’s first 30×30 resolution, creating the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and several bills advancing clean energy. Most recently, Patagonia made the ultimate commitment to the planet as Yvon Chouinard announced Wednesday that he is giving the company away in an effort to help combat the climate crisis. The award will be accepted by Patagonia’s Reno-based Environmental Activism Manager, Meghan Wolf.
The award winners will join Governor Sisolak and other conservation leaders taking the stage at the 2022 Home Means Nevada Awards Dinner. More details and announcements about the event can be found here.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHO: Nevada Conservation League, Keynote Speaker Governor Steve Sisolak, Local Environmental Leaders
WHAT: 2022 Home Means Nevada awards dinner celebrating environmental leaders
WHEN: Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: The Springs Preserve Amphitheater (333 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89107)
Press interested in attending must RSVP to angelyn@nevadaconservationleague.org
Spokespeople are available for interviews.
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