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.

Bill Graham gave a total of $2.3 million to his political advocacy group.

According to Internal Revenue Service forms made available this week, the Salisbury attorney gave a total of $2,302,028 between December of 2005 and February of 2007 to N.C. Conservatives United, an advocacy group he started to fight the gas tax and illegal immigration.

The next largest donor was Larry T. Cloninger Jr., president of Cloninger Ford-Toyota in Salisbury, who gave a total of $100,000 in November and December of last year.

The only other donors to the group were William Frank Lee of Smithfield, who gave $6,000; Herchel Rogers Sr. of Good Neighbors New Hanover County, which gave $193; and Catherine M. Earle of Fayetteville, who gave $15.

The bulk of the money — a total of $2,292,563 — went to Fetzer Stephens, a Raleigh consulting firm, to produce ads, buy air time and give consulting services. Another $6,442 went directly to consultant Tom Fetzer, who was last paid in May, shortly before Graham announced his campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

According to the 2007 mid-year report, the group has $5,413 left.