Covington County knows the Wofford family is all about being green. Now, the entire state does after Catherine Wofford was awarded the Youth Conservationist of the Year Award at the 2013 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet Friday.

“Catherine has a passion for the outdoors,” said AWF’s Marla Ruskin. “Her conservation ethic shines in all that she does, especially her volunteer efforts related to clean water and the natural resources of our great state.”

Wofford has organized volunteers for the City of Andalusia electronics recycling day from 2010 to 2012, served as chairperson for the last four years for the Alabama Coastal Clean-up, and helped organize and assist with the Covington County Groundwater Festival. Ruskin said Wofford’s talents and efforts also include designing and painting barrels in support of pollution reduction and stormwater re-use for the Alabama Rain Barrel Project for the last four years, and that as a freelance photographer and website/social media guru, Wofford has utilized those talents to provide volunteer support to the Alabama Clean Water Partnership.

“Catherine is simply a talented, intelligent, and dedicated individual that is making a difference for her community, her state, and the natural resources upon which we depend,” Ruskin said.

The AWF Governor’s conservation achievement awards are the most respected conservation honors in the state of Alabama.

“For the past 30 years, the AWF has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources,” Ruskin said.

The GCAA was created to promote leadership by example and in turn increase conservation of the natural resources in the state of Alabama including its wildlife, forests, soils, water and air. The program is designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of conservation practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare of their community and state.

Co-sponsored by Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy, the event was held at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Gov. Bentley provided opening remarks and assisted with presentation of the awards. Additional sponsors included Consolidated Pipe and Supply, Inc., First South Farm Credit, Mr. Josh and Mrs. Mary Virginia Mandell, Lee Thuston, Russell Lands and Talladega Superspeedway. Alabama Gulf Seafood was sponsored by the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission.