South Carolina Wildlife Federation Environmentalist of the Year, 1979
Gulf Oil National Conservation Award (one of ten nationwide), 1983
The Nature Conservancy Oak Leaf Award (one of four nationwide) 1995
The Alexander Calder Conservation Award (one recipient selected nationwide on an annual basis) 1996, presented by the Conservation Foundation partnership with Union Camp Corporation
The Order of the Palmetto awarded by Governor David Beasley of South Carolina in 1996
Selected to carry the Olympic Torch in Greenville for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia
Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from Clemson University, 1997
Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities Degree from Furman University,1997
Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Wofford College,1998
Recipient of the Frances K. Hutchinson Medal from The Garden Club of America,1999
Recipient of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation BMW Conservationist of the Year Award, 2003
Recipient of the South Carolina (2004) and National (2005) Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Conservation Award