About the Award
The Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award was first established at the Florida Coastal School of Law and was given out by the Law School for three years. After the Law School reorganized, the Environmental Protection Board was approached to continue giving this award in honor of Jacksonville’s Original Environmental Champion.
The Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award seeks to highlight and acknowledge an individual who has exhibited, over a long-term, professionalism, diligence and an unwavering commitment as a Champion of the Environment in protecting or preserving the natural resources of Duval County.
Past Winners include:
- Congressman Charles Bennett
- Walt Bussells - JEA
- Neil Armingeon - St Johns Riverkeeper
- Linda Bremer - Sierra Club
- Dr. Todd Stack - EPB
- Robert Schuster –EPB
- Mark Middlebrook - Preservation Project
- Mayor John Delaney
- State Senator John Thrasher
- Barbara Broward - EPB
- Richard Maguire
- Warren Anderson
- Barbara Goodman
- William "Bill" Brinton
- John Crescimbeni
- Tracey Arpen
- Dr. Lucinda B. Sonnenberg, Ph.D
- Lisa Rinaman
- Barbara Ketchum
Winner of the 2024 Charles E. Bennett Award Announced!
The 2024 award was presented to Susan Caven at the JEPB Awards Luncheon in November 2024.
Susan Caven, has spent many years advocating and promoting for our local environment, our scenic beauty, care of our natural resources, a cleaner and healthier St. Johns River, and a more sustainable future for our children. Among her many accomplishments:
• Susan is a three-time EVE Award finalist.
• She has served Scenic Jacksonville in many roles including two times as Board President.
• She is a former Trustee of the Garden Club of Jacksonville, served the Garden Club of America and is currently active with the Late Bloomers Garden Club.
• She is a past president of Greenscape of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Historical Society and Florida President of the National Society of the Colonial Dames.
After all of that, and having nothing to do, Susan currently serves on the Executive Committee of Scenic Jacksonville, co-chairs their Tree Committee and is very active with Riverfront Parks Now where she is a founding member of the steering committee.