March 26, 2026
OEC Announces 2026 Environmental Achievement Award Winners
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2026
Contact:
Karlena Wallace, Communications Director
media@theoec.org or 614-487-5837
OEC Announces 2026 Environmental Achievement Award Winners
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) will present three Environmental Achievement Awards at its annual Green Gala on May 9, 2026, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Africa Events Center. These awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose vision, dedication, and impact advance environmental protection, climate action, and community resilience across Ohio.
“Each year, the OEC’s Environmental Achievement Awards showcase Ohioans who move our state toward a cleaner, healthier future,” said Carol Kauffman, Chief Executive Officer of the OEC. “We are excited to announce this year’s environmental champions, whose work has made lasting impacts on their communities around Ohio. They’re tackling some of today’s largest problems, like affordability and utility rates, with creative community-driven solutions. Their efforts span from local electoral offices to courthouses to communities across Ohio. These champions show us that change happens in all venues, and it takes all of us to make meaningful change. We congratulate them on their achievements and commitment to securing a better future for all Ohioans.”
The award winners for 2026 include:
Mayor Sharetta Smith, City of Lima – Public Servant
Sharetta Smith is the 59th Mayor of Lima and the first woman and first African American to be elected as the city’s chief executive. Mayor Smith champions significant environmental initiatives that prioritize the well‑being of Lima residents and their environment. Under her leadership, the City of Lima is constructing a floating solar array on the Twin Lakes Reservoir that will generate 2 megawatts of energy and is projected to reduce the City’s energy costs by an estimated $10 million over its lifetime.
Columbus Stand Up! – Civic Engagement
Columbus Stand Up! is a Columbus-based grassroots nonprofit working to engage working-class people of all ages in the electoral process, support the development of stable and healthy communities, and hold elected officials accountable. The organization maintains a strong presence in Central Ohio communities opposing AEP bill increases which would place additional burdens on families already facing soaring electric bills. From educating the public and testifying before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to organizing a petition with over 2,500 signatures, Columbus Stand Up! is a leading advocate for Central Ohioans.
Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services – Legal Achievement
Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to ensuring that all people and communities have access to the tools needed to create meaningful change. They believe everyone has the right to influence decisions about the air, water, and land where they live, work, and play. Through their work, Fair Shake provides equitable access to environmental justice and empowers communities to advocate for a healthier, more sustainable future.
In recent months, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services powerfully demonstrated its ability to support communities across Ohio through work on data centers. In addition to running a free data center legal clinic in February, Fair Shake is developing resources to help communities better understand the legal avenues available to them. More importantly, they are in constant conversation with communities across Ohio, providing organizations and groups of individuals with legal support—and connecting them with other communities doing similar work on data centers.
For more information on the Ohio Environmental Council’s 2025 Green Gala, visit our website: theoec.org/events/2026-green-gala/. Tickets to the event are still available to the public. For media access, please contact media@theoec.org.
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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.
