The national president of the Sierra Club said today's students are important in battles for environmental rights.
He said: "students have been in the front line with environmental issues and they are the ones who are going to make a difference in defending the earth's air and water."
National president Robbie Cox spoke at the second annual President's Dinner yesterday at the Campbell House Inn in Lexington.
Cox urged students to become involved with environmental organizations, but he believes the most effective way to make a difference is to write a letter to local newspapers pointing out how members of Congress vote on issues concerning the environment.
Inspired by his grandfather's love and concern for the land and coal mines of West Virginia, Cox decided to show concern for the environment.
He said he works to "protect wild places of the earth and to preserve the environment in which we live and work."
As the keynote speaker at the president's dinner, Cox adressed active Sierra Club members and concerned environmentalists. The dinner also served as a fund-raiser and awards presentation for the Cumberland Chapter, Kentucky's state Sierra Club.
Awards are presented to outstanding environmentalists.
Two individuals were selected to receive the Harry M. Caudill Award. Caudill was a conservationist and the award is in his memory and presented by his widow.
Wendell Berry and Tom Fitzgerald received the award at the dinner. They were selected by the executive committee of the Cumberland Sierra Club.
Berry is a former chair of Kentucky's Sierra Club and Geralds said he is a great spokesmen for the value of the environment.
"Wendell Berry is an outstanding author," said Oscar Geralds, chairman of the Cumberland Chapter. "He is a farmer and has taught classes at UK and EKU. He has written books expressing his love and respect for the land."
Fitzgerald is the founder and has been the Director of Kentucky Resources Council Inc., a non-profit environmental advocacy group, for more than 10 years.
"Tom is the environmental advocate for the state. He is the authority and if we are uncertain about an issue, we always say, 'what does Tom think?'" Geralds said.
Kentucky's Sierra Club has about 3,000 members. The group's press secretary, Elaine Faithful, said the organization's purposes are to educate the public and to lobby for environmentally aware candidates.
They provide contributions and volunteer help for candidates they support. The Sierra Club Conservation Committee selects certain issues to focus on.
"Right now we are working on forestry and water pollution issues," said Betsy Bennett, conservation chairwoman. "We decide which issues are most important to us and work on those for years."