Awarded by the Board of Directors of the Philander Chase Conservancy, the Jean S. Briggs Award for Leadership in Land Conservation was established in 2022 to recognize extraordinary leadership in protecting the natural beauty, health and vibrancy of the rural lands surrounding Gambier and Kenyon College. 
 
Jean Briggs was the first landowner in Knox County to fully donate an agricultural easement, conserving her farm in perpetuity in 2003. Jean was determined to keep the land she loved as farmland, forever beautiful and productive. Her enthusiasm and visionary action inspired other landowners to follow her lead in conserving farms and natural areas around Kenyon, Gambier and throughout Knox County. We all enjoy the fruits of their collective efforts in our thriving bucolic landscape, as will generations to follow. Jean passed away on August 6, 2020, at the age of 99.

In recognition of Jean’s extraordinary leadership in safeguarding the natural assets of our rural community, we proudly announce the Jean S. Briggs Award for Leadership in Land Conservation.

Recipients