What major award did Gaylord Nelson receive in 1995?

Gaylord Nelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995.

Nelson, a Wisconsin Democrat, served as the state’s governor and later as a U.S. senator. He is best known as the founder of Earth Day: after seeing growing public concern about pollution and environmental damage, he proposed a nationwide environmental teach-in, first held on April 22, 1970. He recruited Denis Hayes to coordinate the event nationally.

President Bill Clinton awarded Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in September 1995 in recognition of his environmental work. The medal is the United States’ highest civilian honor, presented for especially distinguished contributions to national interests, culture, security, or other major areas of public life.

Nelson’s environmental legacy also includes his work on wilderness protection, conservation, population issues, and pollution control. The award is sometimes confused with other major U.S. honors, but he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Congressional Gold Medal, or National Medal of Science. His name lives on at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.