A retired Western Carolina University professor and Jackson County environmentalist has been given top honors for his work in education and advocacy.

The N.C. Wildlife Federation has honored Dan Pittillo with the Environmental Educator of the Year award. Pittillo spent 50 years educating at the academic, regional, community and grassroots levels, and is still involved in environmental issues across the mountains.

The award is part of the Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, (GCAA) an effort to honor individuals, governmental bodies, organizations and others who have exhibited commitment to conservation in North Carolina. The GCAA ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Embassy Suites in Cary.

Award winners are nominated by the residents of North Carolina and decided upon by a committee of scientists, environmental educators and conservation activists. Categories of achievement include wildlife conservation, water conservation, forestry, sportsmen and others. This is the 50th anniversary of the awards.