August 15, 2016 CHARLOTTE – Forsite Development’s ReVenture Park™ has earned a 2016 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award from The North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

ReVenture Park™ was named the Business Conservationist of the Year, for its “innovative ‘brownfield’ restoration site that is transforming more than 600 acres of Superfund-designated land into a hub for renewable energy, recycling and wildlife habitat restoration. The ReVenture Park includes vast wildlife meadows, riparian buffers, a conservation easement protecting land, prescribed burns for management, and public use of nature trails.”

ReVenture Park™ (www.reventurepark.com), owned by Forsite Development, Inc., is an ambitious reinvention of a former Superfund Site along the Catawba River into Charlotte’s First Eco-Industrial Park.

Winners of the 53rd Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards include notable Conservation devotees who work for species ranging from elk, amphibians, fish and bear and from water quality experts, land stewardship advocates, and those helping to preserve unique ecosystems. The award winners include agency professionals, elected officials, academia, non-profit leaders and organizations rising to the challenge.

These prestigious awards are a long-standing effort to honor individuals, governmental bodies, organizations, and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina. These are the highest natural resource honors given in the state. By recognizing, publicizing, and honoring these conservation leaders—young and old, professional and volunteer—the North Carolina Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire all North Carolinians to take a more active role in protecting the natural resources of our state.

Other award 2016 winners are:

Gene Maready, Columbia, N.C., Marine Fisheries Enforcement Officer of the Year;

Isaac Hannah, Casar, N.C., Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year; Save Blounts Creek, Chocowinity, N.C., Conservation Organization of the Year; Christopher DePerno, Ph.D., Raleigh, Natural Resources Scientist of the Year; Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District, Concord, N.C., NCWF Affiliate of the Year; Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists, Washington, N.C., NCWF Chapter of the Year; Link Grass, Denver, N.C., Hunter Safety Educator of the Year; Kayne Darrell, Wilmington, Wildlife Volunteer of the Year; City of Rockingham, N.C., Municipal Conservationist of the Year; Dan Ryan, Wilmington, Forest Conservationist of the Year; Jay Adams, Hickory, Legislator of the Year; Lisa Rider, Sneads Ferry, N.C., Conservation Communicator of the Year; Whitney Greene, Laurel Springs, N.C., Environmental Educator of the Year; Grady McCallie, Raleigh, Water Conservationist of the Year; Tom Berry, Greensboro, Land Conservationist of the Year; Robin Hayes, Concord, N.C., Sportsman of the Year; John Groves, Asheboro, N.C., Wildlife Conservationist of the Year; and Tom Harrison, Plymouth, N.C., Conservationist of the Year.

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

Awards winners are nominated by the citizens of North Carolina and decided upon by a committee of scientists, environmental educators, and conservation activists. “This awards program brings together a remarkably diverse group of conservationists to highlight the `good news’ about wildlife conservation in North Carolina,” said Nickens, “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”.

Forsite Development, Inc. (www.forsiteinc.com) was founded by Tom McKittrick in 2004 for the purpose of acquiring corporate surplus industrial facilities. To date, Forsite has redeveloped over 6.8 million square feet of these facilities across 3,000 acres, and those projects have attracted or retained approximately 960 jobs and counting.