Former Virginia Sen. John Warner Honored For Conservation Leadership

America’s largest conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife has honored former Sen. John Warner of Virginia with its National Conservation Achievement Award for his extraordinary environmental leadership in the political and nonprofit sectors. Former Sen. Warner’s award as “Conservationist of the Year” from National Wildlife Federation was announced at the organization’s annual awards banquet in Washington, D.C. last night.

A leader and fighter for the public interest for the better part of a half century of his public and professional life, Warner continues as a vocal champion of global climate action and a trailblazer for new initiatives to increase America’s energy independence. Since leaving the Senate early this year, Warner has worked with the Pew Environment Group to bring together state and municipal governments, the Administration, and military, security and climate experts to explore new strategies to address global climate change, strengthen our national security, increase our energy independence, and preserve our nation’s natural resources.

Photo: © John Warner

“Senator Warner was and is a statesman and a true leader on the issues facing our planet now and in the years ahead,” said National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger. “He was always ahead of the curve during his five terms as a U.S. Senator, and he still leads the fight today. Each advancement in the effort to curb global warming owes something to his leadership and vision.”

As Conservationist of the Year, Senator Warner joins the ranks of previous winners Vice President Al Gore, Lady Bird Johnson, and President Jimmy Carter.
Before he entered the Senate, Warner began his career in public service with his enlistment in the U.S. Navy in World War II, 1945-1946. He had a second tour of active military service as an officer in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. From 1969-1972, he served as Under Secretary of the Navy, and then as Secretary of the Navy from 1972-1974. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978, and served in the U.S. Senate until January 2009. He holds the distinction of being the second-longest serving U.S. Senator and the longest serving Republican Senator in the state’s history.

Warner has spent a lifetime enjoying nature as a fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. His first job was with the U.S. Forest Service, when he was tasked with trail maintenance and fighting fires in the forests of Northern Idaho in 1943.

Throughout his senate career, Warner supported many legislative initiatives to enhance and preserve the outdoors for future generations. Arguably one of the most revered and respected Republicans to ever serve in Congress, Senator Warner has channeled his passion for the outdoors into a public career spent steering the earth toward a cleaner, more stable future.

The National Wildlife Federation is America’s conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.