From Our Partners at West Virginia Environmental Council
Change happens when we show up—and on Monday, March 17, 2025, hundreds of passionate advocates from across the state did just that at the WV State Capitol for the 35th annual Environmental Day (E-Day)!
Thanks to everyone who made the time to be present—to raise your voices, connect with lawmakers, support one another, and send a clear, unified message: West Virginians demand strong environmental protections for clean air, safe water, and public lands.
E-Day is more than just a gathering—it’s a movement. This year’s event was a powerful reminder of the strength we hold when we come together with purpose. Your presence mattered. You helped make E-Day a success! You can find photos of the event here.
We also had the honor of celebrating three incredible individuals whose work has shaped, protected, and inspired our environmental movement in West Virginia:
Gary Zuckett, WV CAG Co-Director, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 35 years of tireless advocacy. A foundational force behind both E-Day and the West Virginia Environmental Council (WVEC), Gary’s leadership has helped shape the environmental movement in West Virginia for more than three decades.
Gary has long worked at the intersection of environmental and social justice. He’s also helped build powerful coalitions, including co-founding West Virginians United for Social & Economic Justice and organizing the Energy Efficient WV campaign, which later became its own nonprofit.
It’s hard to imagine E-Day without Gary’s steady presence and fierce commitment. Whether mentoring new advocates, leading from the front, or working behind the scenes, Gary’s legacy is profoundly rooted in the spirit of this movement for a more sustainable and equitable future.
Judy Rodd, Executive Director of Friends of Blackwater, was honored with the Legacy and Environmental Protection Award for decades of unwavering dedication to protecting treasured places like Blackwater Canyon, the Go North Alliance, and beyond.Â
Judy has been a leading voice in preserving the cultural, historical, and environmental integrity of the Tucker County towns of Davis and Thomas. Through her work with the Go North Alliance—an alliance of residents and business owners advocating for a more thoughtful and sustainable route for Corridor H—she has helped elevate local voices, protect the region’s wild beauty, and promote economic development rooted in the area’s unique character.
Judy’s impact can be seen across the landscape of our state—and in the generations of advocates, she continues to inspire with her tenacity, vision, and deep love for West Virginia’s natural and cultural heritage.
Ryan Kirkpatrick, a West Virginia State University student majoring in Business Agriculture and Business Administration, received the Emerging Activist Award for his advocacy and community organizing. He interns with People Concerned About Chemical Safety and is a youth organizer with Young West Virginia.
In his experiences growing up in WV, he saw how economic struggles can impact health and stability; Ryan is committed to uplifting his community. Through his efforts both on campus and beyond, he is working toward a more just and sustainable future for all West Virginians. His voice, leadership, and lived experience are a powerful reminder of the next generation rising to meet the moment.
To Gary, Judy, and Ryan—thank you. Your passion and perseverance light the path for all of us.
And to everyone who attended, tabled, or spoke: thank you! You are the reason E-Day is a force for change.
Let’s keep showing up, keep building momentum, and keep fighting for the West Virginia we know is possible.
See you next year!
