Author and conservationist Doug Tallamy received the 2022 Root Cause Award for his commitment to natural communities and the benefits they provide. 

“His writings and approach help the public better understand the connection between active stewardship and the ecosystem services that are taken for granted,” reads a press release announcing the award.

John Ager, longtime conservation landowner and state representative, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to conservation and natural communities. 

“Ager’s efforts to permanently protect farmland and his commitment to community service have benefited Western North Carolina and beyond,” the press release says. “His faith shown through his works and the example he has set over a lifetime is why we honor him this award.

Tuckaseegee residents Mark and Lisa Yeager received the 2022 EcoForester of the Year Award for their demonstration of ecologically beneficial forestry.  Mark Yeager has improved his family’s land in Tuckaseegee through active stewardship, converting a white pine plantation into a stand of mixed hardwoods by planting oaks, transforming a monoculture into a more desirable and diverse wildlife habitat. 

“His devotion and planning are exemplary of what is needed to restore and sustain healthy, vibrant forests,” the release says. 

EcoForesters is a non-profit forest management group in Asheville whose mission is to conserve and restore Appalachian forests through education and stewardship.  Almost 70% of the forests of Western North Carolina are privately owned, yet fewer than 25% have a management plan.  In the absence of planning, forests are subject to invasive species, development pressures and weather extremes as a result of climate change.