A local conservation organization’s work has earned state recognition for its efforts to protect wildlife and the environment.

Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists won Chapter of the Year at the 53rd Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, North Carolina Wildlife Federation announced this week. PAWC is based in Washington and draws members from Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Pitt, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists is one of NCWF’s newest chapters and has expanded its work into one of the wildest corners of North Carolina, according to a press release from PAWC President Attila Nemecz.

The challenges PAWC faces are larger in scale: the most endangered predator in the world, an entire creek in peril, pollution from North Carolina’s largest egg factory and entire ecosystems that could be lost to climate change — all of which are a threat to one of the most spectacular places in the state: the second largest estuary in the country, the densest population of black bears in the world, one of the last dark sky regions on the east coast, wild rivers and flocks of winter waterfowl that cloud the sky, the press release stated.

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation first presented its conservation awards in 1958.

This year’s award winners include agency professionals, elected officials, academia, nonprofit leaders and organizations rising to the challenge, according to the release.

“Each year we are amazed at the commitment and creativity of North Carolina citizens in protecting wildlife and wild places,” stated T. Edward Nickens, NCWF Awards committee chair. “Many of our award winners tell us their Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award represents the high point of their career — whether they are full-time scientists or full-time volunteer conservationists.”

Since its beginnings, PAWC volunteers have participated in public hearings to stop alligator hunting; promote a management plan for Henslow’s sparrows; built a handicapped accessible hunting blind on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge; supported the Save Blounts Creek campaign; defended the management program for the red wolf, a nearly extinct species; sponsored organic gardening classes that resulted in native plants that participants could take home; and recruited the most new members of any chapter in North Carolina in 2015.

Future conservation efforts include organizing a set of rallies on Aug. 23 and 24 in Washington and Raleigh respectively to show support for the Red Wolf Recovery Program, as well as participating in regular classes on beekeeping and organic gardening Beaufort County Community College.

Award winners are nominated by the citizens of North Carolina and decided upon by a committee of scientists, environmental educators and conservation activists. The awards are a long-standing effort to honor those who have shown commitment to conservation in North Carolina and are the highest natural resource honors given in the state. By doing so, NCWF hopes to inspire all residents to take a more active role in protecting the state’s natural resources, the release stated.

“This awards program brings together a remarkably diverse group of conservationists to highlight the ‘good news’ about wildlife conservation in North Carolina,” Nickens said. “Our primary focus is to applaud and honor these people who work so hard for wildlife and the air, water, land that they and all of us depend upon.”