Last weekend, Redmond resident and environmental activist Don Parks received the Sierra Club’s John Muir Award, the club’s top honor.

Parks was being recognized for the work he has done in helping to secure protection for numerous acres of wild lands in Washington during the past 40 years. Among the areas Parks has helped protect is the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, one of America’s most visited wilderness areas. Parks is considered by many to be one of the premier experts on the Alpine Lakes region.

Parks was among 28 individuals to receive national awards from the Sierra Club this year. The awards were presented at a ceremony held in San Francisco on Aug. 4.