Ernest Howard Whitaker, who has devoted more than 70 years to advancing groundbreaking conservation initiatives, practices and public education, has been named the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
The award is the top honor in the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards presented by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
A Putnam County native, Whitaker is especially known for creating the mascots Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop which are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to teach children about the environment and conservation. (Photo courtesy TN Dept. of Environment & Conservation.)
