Maggie L. Fox (bio), immediate past President and CEO of the Climate Reality Project in Boulder and Washington DC and longtime Colorado-based conservation advocate, received high distinction from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) on Monday, for her contributions and achievements in the environmental field. Her contributions in reducing carbon emissions, promoting clean energy, and protecting wildlife and their habitats from the risks posed by climate have earned her the NWF Colorado Women in Conservation 2015 Award, given to women who have shown exceptional leadership, time and dedication in conservation and climate action.

As temperatures continue to rise, Colorado has begun to experience some of the impacts involved with climate change. Pests like ticks are becoming more abundant and are negatively impacting moose while mountain pine beetles are ravaging huge swaths of Colorado forests. Maggie’s work in climate action is essential as Colorado continues to deal with the impacts of climate change.

"Maggie Fox is a true asset to the conservation community. Her passion for climate action has set Colorado in the right direction as we work to combat climate change," said Clare Bastable, interim Executive Director  of NWF’s Rocky Mountain Regional Center and  director of public lands conservation.. "We at the National Wildlife Federation believe that highlighting and bringing women into the environmental story is important to reach the common goal of protecting all people, communities, landscapes and our precious wildlife from the impacts of climate change."

Maggie Fox follows in the footsteps of many strong women who have had significant roles in the conservation movement. Rachel Carson, most famously known for her book Silent Spring, brought the environmental movement to the mainstream in the ‘60s and captured the attention of Americans nationwide. Present-day environmental leader Gina McCarthy, the current Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has taken necessary steps forward in protecting both people and wildlife from the effects of climate change by proposing the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, a standard to reduce industrial carbon pollution.

"Women are an essential part of the environmental community. Past studies have shown that countries with a more equal number of female leaders are more likely to pass environmental legislation," said Bastable. "Not only that, right now women are the fastest-growing hunting and angling demographic in the country. It only makes sense that these women be represented in high and vital positions within the field."

In honor of Women’s History Month, NWF is recognizing top female environmental leaders who have played essential roles in the conservation movement.