Texas university dean to receive ABA award for environmental stewardship

The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources will honor Robert D. Bullard, dean of the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University, with its 2015 Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship Award at the Swissôtel in Chicago. The award, which recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups that have made significant accomplishments or demonstrated leadership in sustainable development, energy, environmental, or resources stewardship, will be presented at 8:20 a.m. on Oct. 30 during SEER's 23rd Fall Conference. Bullard, often described as the father of environmental justice, is one of many firsts, and an individual of demonstrated leadership and work to advance the cause of environmental justice. He is the author of 18 books that address sustainable development, environmental racism, urban land use, industrial facility siting, community reinvestment, housing, transportation, climate justice, emergency response, smart growth and regional equity. Bullard has testified as an expert witness and served as a technical advisor on hundreds of civil rights lawsuits and public hearings over the past three decades. He was the first environmental justice scholar to receive the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award in Science for his book "Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality." Bullard was featured in the July 2007 CNN People You Should Know, Bullard: Green Issue is Black and White. In 2008, Newsweek named him one of 13 Environmental Leaders of the Century, and Co-op America honored him with its Building Economic Alternatives Award. Bullard was named one of the "100 Black History Makers in the Making" by The Grio, and Planet Harmony named him one of Ten African American Green Heroes." He was featured in Welcomebooks Everyday Heroes: 50 Americans Changing the World One Nonprofit at a Time by Katrina Fried. In 2013, Bullard was honored with the Sierra Club John Muir Award, the first African-American to win the award. In 2014, the Sierra Club named its new Environmental Justice Award after Bullard. Bullard received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. In 2015, the Iowa State University Alumni Association named him its Alumni Merit Award recipient - an award also given to George Washington Carver in 1937. Published: Thu, Oct 08, 2015