2024 Lawson Cary, Jr. Conservation Award
(Following is the presentation of the Rhode Island Trout Unlimited 2024 Lawson Cary, Jr. Conservation Award presented by Glenn Place, Rhode Island TU President, at the RITU Annual Fundraiser Banquet on April 5, 2025, with 125 attendees at the Quonset “O” Club.)
The Lawson Cary, Jr. Conservation Award is presented to an individual or organization for their contributions of time, energies and knowledge that have greatly aided Rhode Island TU in achieving its Conservation mission-based goals and milestones.
Some of the criteria for the award are as follows:
Focus on achieving Rhode Island TU’s Vision and executing its Mission.
Respected as an example and role model for Rhode Island TU members and its communities in the areas of completing mission-based goals.
Promoting an atmosphere of cooperation, collaboration, and camaraderie among members of like-minded conservation organizations.
Providing experience that enhances the accomplishment of established programs, projects, and activities.
Leading and/or participating in a wide variety of the Chapter’s and associated partner’s education, conservation, and clean-up programs, projects, and activities.
Respected for effectively balancing the Conservation needs of the Chapter with the recreational needs of all members, partners, and friends.
Some things about this year’s recipient:
She believes that the conservation and stewardship of natural places and other open space lands is critical for wildlife habitats, clean water, fresh air, and productive farms and forests.
She believes conserved land is essential for outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.
With her leadership, she believes that an organization supporting local land trusts – especially the smaller, volunteer-led ones – strengthens their ability to conserve and steward natural places and other open space lands, engage their communities, and defend their Conservation accomplishments for future generations.
She is grateful for and honors the work of every organization helping with conservation in Rhode Island. Her organization fosters the development of strong relationships between neighboring Conservation groups and nurture collaboration whenever possible.
When our legislators are in session at the state house, she spends countless hours “working the halls” to further her organization’s mission. Although not confirmed, I have heard that sometimes she even packs a sleeping bag!
Although also not confirmed, I have been told she dabbles in the art of stand-up comedy, both on and behind the stage.
She joined the Rhode Island Land Trust Council in 2021 as the new Executive Director. In this role, she will continue the Council’s legacy of advocacy work for land conservation and land trusts at the statehouse and look for new and unique ways to assist land trusts with capacity building and programming that highlight Conservation successes across the state.
Rhode Island Trout Unlimited would like to present Kate Sayles, Executive Director, Rhode Island Land Trust Council, with the 2024 Lawson Cary, Jr. Conservation Award.
