0325-GCG-FoothillsConservancy_ESG25_12-18 (2) - Flipbook - Page 43
2025 Ruby Pharr
Conservationist
of the Year Doug Veazey
FCNC is proud to recognize longtime supporter,
volunteer, and founding board member Doug Veazey
as the recipient of the 2025 Ruby Pharr Conservationist
of the Year Award (Ruby Award), the organization’s
highest honor for volunteer conservation service.
Named for late biologist, educator, and founding
conservancy member Ruby Pharr, the award
celebrates individuals whose dedication and
leadership have signi昀椀cantly advanced land and
water conservation in our region.
Doug’s involvement with FCNC dates back to its early
years. In 1995, as a member of the North Carolina
Sierra Club, he joined a group of concerned citizens—
including Ruby Pharr herself, Bob Benner, and FCNC
founding director Susie Hamrick Jones—who were
the lake,” Doug re昀氀ects, “I’m reminded how special
our efforts were and how wonderful the land looks,
undeveloped and natural.”
determined to protect two critical tracts of land
A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Doug has spent
adjacent to South Mountains State Park: the Rollins
years exploring and stewarding the mountains and
Tract and the Morganton Watershed. Facing the
waterways he helped protect—paddling, hiking,
threat of clear-cutting and development, the group’s
biking, and volunteering on trails. For years he has
advocacy ultimately led to the permanent protection
served as a volunteer crew leader for the Mountains-
of more than 23,000 acres, which were added to
to-Sea trail segment through Burke County and
South Mountains State Park and created the South
remains passionate about education and responsible
Mountains Game Land. Their work laid the foundation
recreation, encouraging all who visit these places to
for what would become Foothills Conservancy of
practice Leave No Trace ethics and respect the land.
North Carolina.
“Doug embodies the spirit of the Ruby Award,” says
Over the decades since, Doug has remained deeply
FCNC Executive Director Andrew Kota. “His vision,
committed to conservation efforts across Burke
perseverance, and leadership were vital in the
County and beyond. Among his most signi昀椀cant
formation of our organization and in the permanent
accomplishments is his involvement in the protection
protection of thousands of acres that people now
of 3,000 acres for Lake James State Park around 2005.
enjoy every day.”
At the time, the land along the Long Arm Peninsula
was slated for large-scale development, but thanks to
collaboration among local citizens’ groups, FCNC, and
the Southern Environmental Law Center, the property
was instead conserved for public enjoyment. “Every
Humble in receiving the award, Doug notes, “Ruby was
a special lady, and I feel honored to receive an award
in her name. This award is shared by all the wonderful
volunteers who labor in our parks and on our trails.”
time I walk or ride at Fonta Flora and look across
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