The Conservation Council of North Carolina has endorsed Janet Cowell.

The nonprofit's political action committee endorsed the Raleigh Democrat's bid for the state treasurer nomination, citing her work as a state senator on environmental issues.

In 2005, the group recognized Cowell as the Senate "Environmental Champion" for her work on the Drinking Water Reservoir Protection Act, and in 2007 it gave her the Senator of the Year award for bills making government buildings more energy efficient and promoting recycling of electronics, as well as her role on the state's Global Warming Commission.

Conservation PAC chairwoman Nina Szlosberg also cited Cowell's experience as a venture capitalist working on green technology.

"This private sector experience, combined with her demonstrated commitment to effective environmental policies in the Legislature, makes Janet Cowell uniquely qualified to serve as the next Treasurer for North Carolina," she said in a statement.

Four lawmakers were recognized for environmental efforts Wednesday.

House Speaker Joe Hackney, Sen. Janet Cowell, and Reps. Pricey Harrison and Carolyn Justice were honored by the Conservation Council of North Carolina at its first "Green Tie" dinner.

Hackney was given the Jane Sharp lifetime award for leading a state ban on phostpates in the mid 1980s and sponsoring the Clean Water Act of 1999.

Cowell, a Raleigh Democrat, was honored as "Senator of the Year" and Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, was "Representative of the Year."

Justice, a Hampstead Republican, was recognized as a "Defender of the Environment" for a bill to increase environmental standards on hog farms.