Mike Cox
Mike Cox was recognized for his outstanding environmental journalism by the EEASC (Environmental Education Association of South Carolina) at its annual conference at USC Upstate, where he received the Environmental Journalism award for 2024. This new category was created due to his great efforts to educate the public about environmental issues and environmental efforts in the Columbia area.
Cox began his life in the 1950s in Alabama, where, under the tutelage of his father and grandfather, he learned to appreciate the peace and inspiration that could be found in the great outdoors through hunting, fishing, and observing.
The first Earth Day in 1970 proved to be a powerful experience for Cox, and it set him on a path of trying to make a difference by using his writing skills to help people understand that the earth’s environment needs protection.
Mike retired from Bell South in 2002 and moved to South Carolina with his conservation-minded wife, who he fondly refers to as The Landlord in his collection of articles “It’s not a Criticism, It’s an Observation” in the Columbia Star. He also began writing more serious articles about environmental issues in the Columbia area for The Star. This third chapter of his life caught the attention of members of the board of the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina, who began to request articles on conservation and the environment that he would research and write between other topics. The association appreciated his articles, especially due to his deep research. Every article had a depth of history of the topic and current information that far surpassed the cursory coverage of non-local journalism. These articles included the re-wilding of lawn food deserts, watershed pollution issues in school streams, conservation grant availability and awardees, conservation art contests for the schools, gardening, composting, and recycling programs in the schools, and so much more.
Mike Cox’s story slide from the slide show at the EEASC conference
Through this work, Cox helped inform the community about local conservation issues and efforts. The board of the EEASC appreciates all his efforts.
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