Each year, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) presents the Environmentalist of the Year Awards to recognize and honor local leaders who have had noteworthy success in achieving action on climate change, preserving habitat, promoting transit-oriented development, and advocating for clean air and against sprawl.
ECOS has been hosting the Environmentalist of the Year Awards since 1973 and they recently held the 49th annual awards ceremony in Sacramento on November 15. The venue at Curtis Hall was packed as four awards were presented to Mark Berry, Ralph Propper, Chris Brown, and Splash’s CEO Mackenzie Wieser! Way to go Mackenzie!
Mackenzie was hired as Splash’s CEO in October of 2019 and successfully steered Splash through the global pandemic, with its school closures and shift to virtual learning, in a way that enabled Splash to emerge even stronger than before. But rather than simply maintaining Splash’s existing programs through the pandemic, Mackenzie pushed Splash to create a brand new program for middle-school students that would dive deep into climate-related issues and expose the students to the myriad career opportunities that exist in environmental fields. As a result of Mackenzie’s vision, passion, leadership, and the partnerships she forged, Splash developed its new Youth Environmental Leadership Camp (YELC). This camp made its debut last June and the 3 one-week sessions were a huge success!
This one-of-a-kind program connects middle school students with nature, sparks their curiosity about environmental career opportunities, and raises awareness in our communities about critical climate-related issues. It wouldn’t have happened without Mackenzie’s foresight, planning, and dedication to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards and scientists.
Previously, Mackenzie was a planner for the California Strategic Growth Council, and climate change program manager for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. While serving as Elk Grove Planning Commissioner, she helped defeat a plan to locate a large hospital next to a National Wildlife Refuge. After serving on the Mayor’s Commission on Climate Change, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors appointed her to its Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force, to provide input related to the built environment.
Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli presented the Environmentalist of the Year award to Mackenzie and spoke highly of his long-time relationship with Mackenzie in her various positions as CEO of Sacramento Splash, as a planner for the California Strategic Growth Council, and as an Elk Grove Planning Commissioner. Mackenzie then shared a fun video of campers learning and having a blast during the YELC sessions in June and then followed with her uplifting and inspirational acceptance comments.
Splash is so proud of Mackenzie and her incredible accomplishments and we’re fortunate to have her leading Splash into the future! Congratulations on this well-deserved award Mackenzie!