(Annapolis, MD) – Last evening, Maryland Governor Wes Moore awarded Maryland League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Kim Coble a Governor’s Citation. The recognition was bestowed in honor of Coble’s lengthy commitment to environmental advocacy in the state of Maryland. Earlier this year, Coble announced her retirement after more than 30 years as an environmental advocacy leader, the last seven of which were at Maryland LCV. 

“Kim, in your work in protecting our greatest gifts, you have become one of our greatest gifts,” Governor Moore said in presenting the Citation before a standing-room-only audience. “Every single person in this room has benefited from you.”   

Gov. Moore added: “Kim understands the responsibility that sits on her shoulders, because she knows it is her responsibility to make sure we’re taking care of those whose shoulders might not yet be big enough to hold that responsibility on their own. She has been willing to hold that for them.”

Coble, who was surprised to be awarded the Citation, said, “Honestly, this is completely overwhelming and seems so out of proportion. Nonetheless, I am deeply touched and grateful.”

                                                                                      Photos courtesy of the Office of Governor Wes Moore.

Earlier in the evening, Coble received a Resolution from the Senate of Maryland hand-delivered by Senate President Bill Ferguson, which recognized her “retirement from the League of Conservation Voters after a distinguished career advocating for environmental conservation. Thank you for your dedication to making Maryland a healthier place to live and visit.”

In addition, former State Treasurer and current Maryland LCV Board Member Nancy Kopp announced the launch of the Kim Coble Environmental Advocacy Fund. The fund will continue Coble’s legacy of leadership by establishing a dedicated fund in her name, which will reliably sustain the critical work of environmental advocacy, which was the hallmark of her career. 

The Governor’s citation and the announcement of the Fund were just two of several highlights at 2026 Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders.

U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer was presented with the 2026 John V. Kabler Environmental Leadership Award, and the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability was the 2026 Climate Champion Award recipient. 

Congressman Hoyer said in remarks delivered to the audience via video. “John Kabler was a crusader for clean air, clean water, and a healthier Chesapeake Bay. What an honor it is to have his name on an award to recognize my small efforts.”

Howard County Deputy Chief of Staff Tim Lattimer accepted the Climate Champion Award on behalf of the Office of Community Sustainability and thanked his colleagues in his remarks. “Their outstanding dedication and ‘whole-of-government’ collaboration is the ‘secret sauce’ that drives our progress on clean energy and climate.”

Also, as part of a roundtable discussion at Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders, hosted by Coble during the evening’s program, Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman addressed a range of current topics including the role Maryland can play in the face of a series of rollbacks on environmental protections at the federal level.

The 2026 Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders was the 25th edition of the event and was marked by sold-out attendance. This year also featured a record number of sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Chaberton Energy.

“At Changemakers, everyone I need to talk to is in one room at one time! It’s the place to be for networking.”

– John Lennon Miller, Vice President of Development, Chaberton Energy

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Maryland LCV has served as the trusted, non-partisan resource on environmental issues for Maryland’s elected officials and voters for over 45 years. The Annual Environmental Scorecard and biannual Governor’s Report Card spotlight the environmental votes of elected officials. Maryland LCV’s endorsements signal to voters that a candidate has made a commitment to demonstrate leadership on environmental issues when elected to office.