Denis Hayes, Organizer of the First Earth Day, Received Prestigious Environmental Achievement Award

ELI presented the 2020 Environmental Achievement Award to Denis Hayes, organizer of the first Earth Day in a virtual ceremony on October 15, 2020.

Denis Hayes

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) presented its 2020 Environmental Achievement Award to Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day and current president of the Bullitt Foundation, in recognition of his visionary leadership and outstanding environmental stewardship over a most distinguished career.

Denis Hayes is perhaps best known as the principal national organizer of the first Earth Day in 1970 and founder of the Earth Day Network. A springboard to many initiatives that have greatly advanced environmental quality, Earth Day has become the most widely observed secular holiday in the world, and Hayes is recognized internationally for expanding the Earth Day Network to more than 190 nations. He now serves as President of the Bullitt Foundation, a position he has held since 1992. A recognized leader in environmental and energy policy in the Pacific Northwest, the Bullitt Foundation applies ecological principles to the design of healthy, resilient human ecosystems.

Watch a recap of our streamed virtual event honoring Denis Hayes

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