Former VP Ed Blakeslee named Conservationist of the Year

Retired Mississippi Power Vice President Ed Blakeslee was named Conservationist of the Year at the annual Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain gala held Wednesday night at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi.

“The award honors community members for their environmental, preservation and conservation efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Judy Steckler, executive director for the Land Trust.

Blakeslee was nominated for the award by members of the Wolf River Conservation Society, a partner organization to the Land Trust.

“When Ed was vice president at the company, he led a study with the Earth and Energy Group to determine a landscape scale conservation project in south Mississippi,” said retiree Bob Fairbank, who is a charter member of the WRCS. “The report that came from that study recognized the Wolf River watershed as that project.”

The WRCS was formed in 1998 and is an all-volunteer organization that works with the Land Trust to protect easements along more than 24 miles of the river.

“This award is presented to people who have shown passion for environmental issues such as improving water quality, expanding the tree canopy, protecting wetlands, preserving history, conserving land, protecting ancient oaks and improving the quality of life,” added Steckler. “Ed’s leadership has brought organizations together to achieve this kind of massive environmental protection. He is a most worthy recipient of the Conservationist of the Year award.”

Blakeslee worked at Mississippi Power from 1965 to 2003, the last 14 years as vice president of Customer Services and Marketing.

“When you think back, anytime you can leave behind a river that’s set aside in perpetuity to be enjoyed by families, campers and scouts, that’s a pretty good deal,” said Blakeslee.

Native trees will be planted at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport to honor Blakeslee’s commitment to protecting and conserving the environment.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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