At its 50th Anniversary Banquet on December 1st, 2023, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) awarded the Conservancy its Environmentalist of the Year Award in the category of “Environmentalist of Regional Significance.” The award specifically noted the Conservancy’s Board of Directors, past and present.
At the awards ceremony, held at the California Railroad Museum, former Sacramento City Mayor Heather Fargo introduced the Conservancy’s Board Chair, Chandra Chilmakuri, and Executive Director, John Roberts, in presenting the award. She noted the Conservancy and its Board members were “truly deserving of this award.” Also highlighted was the Conservancy having secured more than 5,000 acres of land for use in implementing the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan and the Metro Air Park Habitat Conservation Plan.
Conservancy Board Chair Chandra Chilmakuri accepted the award on behalf of the Conservancy. He noted that in addition to the over 5,000 acres of land held by the Conservancy, last year the Conservancy achieved the goal of acquiring property that completed a total of 2,500 contiguous acres of land, an achievement thought to be near impossible in recent years. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to ECOS for the award and distinction.