Georgia state Representatives Darlene Taylor and Debbie Buckner were given the first bipartisan Legislative Environmental Leadership Award at the state’s first Environmental Health and Climate Protection Conference. 

The event, put on by Dogwood Alliance and Science for Georgia, took place at the Robert F. Hatcher, Sr. Conference Center in Macon on Thursday, May 26. It was attended by community leaders, concerned citizens, elected officials, and industry experts who heard from environmental and healthcare educators and researchers regarding solutions that combat climate change and impact Georgia residents. 

The conference was held by both organizations to promote environmental justice and climate action, especially in Southern communities, as well as improve communication and engagement between scientists and the public. Dr. Kim Cobb, director of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Global Change Program, was the keynote speaker. 

Taylor, a Republican who serves the Georgia House of Representatives from the 173rd District, and Buckner, a Democrat who represents District 137, were presented with the award in the middle of the conference. It is the first accolade of its kind. They are being honored for their leading sponsorship roles in the introduction of the Okefenokee Protection Act of 2022. 

“I think this is a very important issue,” Taylor said onstage at the event, standing beside Buckner. “We were proud to introduce the bill, and it is bipartisan.” 

While the bill didn’t pass during the recent session, supporters are hoping to see it or a similar bill introduced in the next session. These legislators were also key supporters in the passage of the Okefenokee Protection resolution, which called for protecting the swamp as a valuable tourism resource. 

Taylor and Buckner read the resolution out loud to the audience, emphasizing that the swamp is one of Georgia’s “Seven Natural Wonders.” They also highlighted that over 700,000 people visit each year both domestically and internationally. Okefenokee Swamp created around 750 jobs in the community and generates more than $64 million revenue each year.