Since 1993, Stewardship Services has been recognized at the local, state, and national level with the following awards:
State Award: Governor's Award - Industrial / Municipal Conservationist of the Year - 1995. Awarded by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in cooperation with the National Wildlife Federation. Awarded for "outstanding service to the State of North Carolina" for "Conservation of North Carolina's Natural Resources."
National Award: Mutual of Omaha's Wildlife Heritage Center's "Award of Excellence" - 1996. Awarded for "displaying leadership and vision in promoting an awareness and appreciation of our natural world." And for creation of the "Sunny Sally Schweinitz Educational Booklet" for children.
State Award: Outstanding County Program Award - 1996. Awarded by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Awarded for the Piedmont Prairie Restoration Program "in recognition of innovative and effective county programs and services."
State Recognition: North Carolina's First State Designated "Important Bird Area." Presented by the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area Conservation Initiative - 1999. Mountain Island Lake / Catawba River data collected, compiled and application submitted by staff.
International Award: International "Nations in Bloom" - First Runner Up - 1998 and International Winner - 1999. This prestigious honor awarded to the entire Park and Recreation Department, was supported in part by Stewardship Services programs. Specifically, Stewardship Services involvement was vital to the application in the following areas of the judging process: Environmentally Sensitive Practices: Natural Heritage program, environmental education programs, greenway and nature preserve programs. Community Involvement: Citizen Environmental Advisory Council. Planning for the Future: Nature Preserve Master Plans.
State Recognition: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission "Model Local Agency" - 2000. Recognized by the state coordinator of the NC Partners in Flight Program for implementation of bird conservation programs at the local level. Staff were invited to speak at the program's annual meeting.
National Award: Outstanding Program Award - Environmental Category - 2000. Awarded by the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials for the natural community management program.
National Award: Achievement Award Winner - 2002. Awarded by the National Association of Counties. Awarded "in recognition of an innovative program which contributes to and enhances county government in the United States." This award was for the Mountain Island Lake Important Bird Area research and monitoring initiative.
State Award: Merit Award - 2002. Awarded by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Awarded for the design of the Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway project in conjunction with Wirth Associates and A Fine Line Design.
Local Recognition: Presented in February 2003 by the Catawba Lands Conservancy "in appreciation for its generosity and enthusiasm while working with the Conservancy to protect Brackett Bluff, a Mecklenburg County Natural Heritage Site."
State Award: 2002 Local Government Conservationist Award. Awarded by the NC Land Trust Council for sustained and outstanding commitment to partnering with Land Trusts for land conservation initiatives. Presented in March of 2003.
National Award: 2003 National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials - Award of Excellence. Awarded in the Environmental Areas and Facilities category recognizing "an exceptional effort to reclaim, restore, preserve, or develop a natural area" for the McDowell Grassland Expansion project at McDowell Nature Preserve.
Local Recognition: 2003 Guardians of the Environment. Awarded by the Charlotte Observer recognizing Stewardship Services' efforts to restore Piedmont Prairie ecosystems, provide environmental education programs, and promote open space preservation. Presented in November 2003.
State Award: 2004 The Wildlife Society North Carolina Chapter Award. Presented to Conservation Supervisor for individual efforts and contributions to wildlife conservation in North Carolina and in recognition of outstanding service as a wildlife professional.
National Award: 2004 Feinstone Environmental Award. Awarded to Reedy Creek Nature Center from among 60 conservation nature education centers from across the United States for demonstrating a clear commitment to educational programs focusing on the natural environment, excellence in programming, service to the community, and in serving as a role model that other centers may emulate.
State Award: North Carolina Partners in Flight "Extra Effort" Award - 2005. Presented to Stewardship Services for "extra efforts in local bird conservation, research, and education." The award recognizes staff's efforts to protect habitat in Mecklenburg County for breeding birds as well as those that pass through during annual migrations.
Local Award: Environmental Educator of the Year Award – 2005. Presented to Environmental Education Supervisor by the Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District for service and dedication to the field of environmental education.
National Award: Achievement Award - 2005. Awarded by the National Association of Counties "in recognition of an innovative program which contributes to and enhances county government in the United States". This award was for the Environmental Education Practicum Course in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's College of Education.
State Award: 2005 Unit of Government Award from North Carolina's Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of the national Soil and Water Conservation Society for outstanding achievement and contribution to resource related programs that protect soil, water and wildlife.
