Audubon California redently honored Assemblymember Jared Huffman with its Byron Sher Award for his extraordinary leadership in the conservation of California’s environment. “Jared Huffman has proven himself time and time again a leader in the effort to protect California’s great natural treasures,” said Graham Chisholm, executive director of Audubon California. “Future generations of Californians will have the opportunity to enjoy this state’s great outdoor places largely because of what Jared Huffman has been able to accomplish and inspire in others.” (pictured, Assemblymember Jared Huffman with Audubon California Board Chair Wendy Pulling)

Audubon California established the Byron Sher Award in 2004 to recognize outstanding accomplishments in environmental policy. The first award was given to Sher himself, who served in the Legislature for more than 21 years. Throughout his career, Sher championed the protection of wildlife, wetlands, and other important environmental policy issues. Prior to Huffman, there were only two other recipients of the awards, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Audubon California is honoring Huffman for his strong environmental leadership. The Assemblymember currently chairs the California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He was integral in the passage of the Delta Reform Act of 2009 and has championed a host of wildlife-related conservation bills, including those strengthening protections for the marine environment and increasing penalties for wildlife poaching.

(From left: Huffman, Pulling, and Audubon California Executive Director Graham Chisholm)

“I am very honored to accept this award from Audubon California, which I regard as one of the most outstanding conservation groups in our state,” said Assemblymember Huffman. “For over a century Audubon has been at the forefront of efforts to protect our environment, oftentimes on high profile issues such as its role as lead plaintiff in the Mono Lake public trust case, but also on many important issues that may not be as highly publicized.”

(From left: Chisholm, Pulling, Huffman, and Audubon President David Yarnold)

(All photos by Sarah Langner)