LBJ Foundation | Apr, 27 2017 6:00PM - 7:30PM
On April 27, 2017, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns received the LBJ Foundation's Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award. After the award presentation, which included President and Lady Bird Johnson’s daughters, Luci and Lynda, Burns sat in conversation with former LBJ Library Director Mark K. Updegrove.
Burns was honored with the award for his "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" documentary which captured an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone.
Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the series reawakened the nation's consciousness to the natural world. As a direct result of the publicity and broadcast of the documentary, national parks across the country saw a dramatic increase in attendance.
About the Award
Lady Bird Johnson's vision inspires the efforts of millions of Americans to preserve our natural resources and beautify our nation. The Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award honors outstanding achievements in the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural world that embrace Mrs. Johnson's style, energy, and commitment to her work. Its mission is to increase public awareness of the environmental issues facing our country by highlighting the work of selected individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. This award salutes the work of Americans who are making a positive impact on the environment by successfully collaborating with communities and engaging others in their mission by reaching out to diverse sectors. Past recipients are Senator John Chafee, Laurance Rockefeller, Patrick Noonan, Michael Dombeck, Bruce Babbitt, and Ted Turner.
The 2017 Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award was generously sponsored by Bank of America.