MN Volunteer Recognized with National Award for Service

SAINT PAUL, MINN., November 5, 2009: St. Paul resident and leadership volunteer Page Knudsen Cowles, will be honored this evening by The Trust for Public Land with their highest honor, the Douglas P. Ferguson Award, for her outstanding service and extraordinary commitment to conserving land for people across America.

The award is named for Doug Ferguson, a co-founder and board member of The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national land conservation organization based in San Francisco, with a Minnesota state office in St. Paul.

For nearly a decade Ms. Cowles has served as a member of TPL’s national board and helped establish TPL’s Minnesota Advisory Board in 2001. In Minnesota, she has supported the development of many conservation projects, including community gardens preservation in Minneapolis, the protection and remediation of St. Paul’s Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, and large landscape efforts in Minnesota’s Northwoods. She has also campaigned to secure billions in conservation funding in Minnesota and nationwide.

“TPL relies on high caliber volunteer leadership and Page Knudsen Cowles is unmatched-the quality of her enthusiasm, engagement, and professional advice knows no limits,” said Will Rogers, TPL president. “Page’s commitment to our mission is unwavering and tireless.”

Ms. Cowles is also a trustee of St. Paul Academy and Summit School, serves on the boards of Unity Avenue Foundation, a family foundation, and The Conservation Campaign, TPL’s lobbying affiliate, and is both a director of Lawrence Creek, LLC, a private investment company, and managing director of Oregon’s Knudsen Vineyards.

The Ferguson Award was established by TPL in 1998 to recognize the ever-increasing importance of the individual efforts of volunteers to achieving its mission. The award allows TPL’s national Board of Directors and staff to recognize those breakthrough efforts that underscore the significant role volunteers play in TPL’s ability and expertise to carry out its mission of land conservation for public enjoyment.