FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pierce County Conservation Awards Luncheon honors George Russell

Cascade Land Conservancy to recognize Pierce County leaders

The Cascade Land Conservancy will honor five Pierce County conservation and environmental leaders at its Pierce County Conservation Awards Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 23, at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

Senator Patty Murray, who has worked to bring stakeholders together, to fund environmental protection and resource management, and to promote innovative, locally based solutions, will be the keynote speaker.

Five individuals and organizations will be recognized for their leadership, ingenuity and dedication to the preservation of the region’s most precious resource – our natural and open lands.

The Conservancy will honor George Russell with its Helen Engle Lifetime Achievement Award. Russell is the visionary behind Frank Russell Company, now known as Russell Investment Group. After selling Russell in 1999 to Northwestern Mutual Life, Russell put some of the proceeds into the Russell Family Foundation, including a strong component that reflects Russell’s lifelong connection with the environment.

Other awards winners:

Conservation Through Innovation Award, Joe Mayer, Mayer Built Homes.

Conservation Partnership Award, Foothills Rail-to-Trails

Cascade Agenda Leadership Award, Pierce County Conservation Futures

Conservation Heritage Award, in honor of the late Dennis G. Seinfeld.

More than 500 conservationists, supporters, public officials and business leaders are expected to attend the event, one of the largest gatherings of conservationists in the South Sound area.

Craig Ueland, President and CEO of the Russell Investment Group, will be master of ceremonies.

Making the event possible are a number of sponsors including Urban Visions, the Conservation Sponsor, HomeStreet Bank, Principal Sponsor and Puget Sound Energy Award Sponsor..

Partner Sponsors include The Boeing Company, Glacier Water Company, Quadrant Homes, Russell Investment Group, Tacoma Power's Evergreen Options, the Tagney Jones Family Fund and Yarrow Bay Development.

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