Washington Conservation Voters awarded state Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, its highest honor by naming him the 2013 “Legislator of the Year.”

Ranker was bestowed the award for his leadership during and following the 2013 Legislative Session.

“Senator Ranker was instrumental in stopping dozens upon dozens of environmental rollbacks and spearheading efforts that would protect our environment and aggressively tackle climate change,” WCV Executive Director Brendon Cechovic said.

Ranker was honored to receive the news.

“A healthy environment is critical for not only our natural and recreational resources, but the thousands of jobs that depend upon them in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan Counties, and throughout our great state,” Ranker said. “I’m proud to work alongside WCV to tackle the many challenges we face like dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning up Puget Sound, and creating a new clean energy future for all Washingtonians.”