NCEL Announces 2025 Awards Celebrating Six Champions and Rising Leaders in Environmental Policy

Boston, MA — The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) announced the recipients of its annual NCEL Awards, honoring six state lawmakers for their exceptional leadership and policy achievements on environmental issues. The awards were presented during NCEL’s 2025 National Forum, held July 31–August 2 in Boston, Massachusetts, which convened over 175 legislators from 40 states and territories.

As federal environmental protections face increasing rollbacks, state lawmakers are playing a vital role in advancing policies that safeguard public health, natural resources, and climate resilience. These awards recognize legislators who are not only championing environmental progress in their home states, but also fostering a network of collaboration and innovation across the country.

Rising Environmental Leader Award

Presented to Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph and Oregon State Representative Mark Gamba, the Rising Environmental Leader Award honors Caucus members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on environmental issues early in their legislative careers.

Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph

Rep. Joseph has quickly distinguished herself through leadership on climate, conservation, Tribal engagement, and environmental justice, advancing impactful policies across a range of issue areas. Her deep commitment to community-driven policymaking and active participation in NCEL, including the NCEL x Blue Planet Foundation Policy Workshop, reflects a deep dedication to elevating constituent voices and advancing inclusive environmental progress.

Oregon State Representative Mark Gamba

Rep. Gamba has been a dedicated NCEL partner, championing grid modernization and transmission solutions and helping to spearhead the 2024 NCEL Northwest Grid Event, which led to the introduction of four targeted transmission bills. His leadership in Oregon’s Transmission Working Group and Environmental Caucus reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, continuous learning, and advancing impactful policy across environmental topics.

Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award

The Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award – named by the Board of Directors as a memorial to the organization’s founder, former Maryland Delegate Leon G. Billings, who is widely known as the U.S. Senate staffer responsible for writing the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act – was presented to members of the Caucus for outstanding achievements on environmental policies throughout their careers. The 2025 Environmental Achievement Award was presented to Maryland State Delegate Sheila Ruth and North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison.

Maryland State Delegate Sheila Ruth

Delegate Ruth is a longtime environmental leader in Maryland, advancing legislation on issues including PFAS, plastics, pollinators, and pesticides. She regularly partners with NCEL to translate ideas into policy solutions, and recently launched the first-of-its-kind Maryland Connectivity Coalition, highlighting her long-term commitment to habitat connectivity and protecting species.

North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison

Rep. Harrison has been a steadfast environmental champion throughout her legislative career and as a longtime NCEL Board member. She has been a strong messenger for the impact NCEL can have across states and is an active presence with both staff and fellow members who seek advice on how to advance environmental legislation in their states.

Renny Cushing Environmental Activism Award

Named in honor of lifelong environmental advocate and former New Hampshire State Representative Robert “Renny” Cushing, this award celebrates lawmakers who persevere against the odds to promote justice, equity, and sustainability in their legislative work and beyond. New Mexico State Representative Kristina Ortez and Maryland State Senator Benjamin Brooks were presented with the 2025 Environmental Activism Award.

New Mexico State Representative Kristina Ortez

Rep. Ortez co-leads the Legacy Lands Workgroup within the America the Beautiful for All Coalition, advocating at the federal level for equitable outdoor access. In the legislature, she has championed environmental health bills like those to expand access to clean water. She also formerly led the Taos Land Trust, focused on land conservation and community education.

Maryland State Senator Benjamin Brooks

Senator Brooks has led on major environmental legislation in 2025, including bills to strengthen PFAS protections, establish a deposit return system, and install stadium bottle refill stations. He has engaged with NCEL to be proactive and equitable in his policymaking – seeking to learn more about environmental issues, engage stakeholders effectively, and address input from various sectors.

NCEL CEO Dylan McDowell introduced the 2025 NCEL Awards and was pleased to uplift the work of these Caucus members.

“Amid growing challenges and a shifting federal landscape, these six lawmakers exemplify the power of state leadership in building community, resilience, and progress through environmental policy,” said McDowell. “Their work — from climate action to species protections and waste reduction — continues to inspire their peers. Their success and work with NCEL is helping shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.”

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Created by and for state legislators, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes over 1,300 environmentally-committed state legislators from all 50 states and both parties. NCEL provides venues and opportunities for lawmakers to share ideas and collaborate on environmental issues.