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Philip Bell has been honored with the inaugural Stephanie Key Environmental Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication, and lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

For generations, the Coharie people have lived in relationship with the Great Coharie River, viewing it not simply as a waterway, but as a living relative that sustains the community’s spirit, wellbeing, and identity. Few individuals embody that connection more deeply than Philip Bell, who serves as the lead of the Great Coharie River Initiative—a community-driven effort that has become a model of environmental restoration and cultural revival in Eastern North Carolina.

Under Philip’s leadership, more than 150 miles of the Great Coharie River have been cleared and restored. These efforts have led to the return of wildlife, the resurgence of traditional fishing and gathering practices, and the renewal of cultural gatherings along the riverbanks. His hands-on stewardship has transformed the river into a thriving destination for eco-tourism, attracting visitors from across North Carolina who come to kayak, learn, and experience the Coharie people’s relationship with the natural world.

To date, Philip has personally led hundreds of kayaking expeditions, introducing participants to the river’s beauty, history, and resilience, while sharing the story of the people who have called it home for centuries.

Beyond river restoration and tourism, Philip has played a key role in forging state and local partnerships to recover and preserve two ancient Indigenous canoes, each hundreds of years old. These historic recoveries serve as powerful symbols of cultural endurance and environmental respect, connecting present-day stewardship to the sustainable practices of Coharie ancestors.

Philip’s dedication extends beyond the waterway. He has organized educational programs to promote environmentally responsible hunting practices, including encouraging alternatives to lead-based ammunition. His outreach reflects a holistic approach that integrates ecological responsibility, community education, and traditional values of respect, balance, and reciprocity.

Through his tireless work, Philip Bell has built bridges—between cultures, between people and the land, and between tradition and modern sustainability. His leadership demonstrates how tourism, when grounded in cultural respect and environmental care, can strengthen both communities and ecosystems.

Sheila Barefoot, Executive Director of Sampson County Tourism, praised Philip’s impact:

“Philip’s dedication to restoring the river, promoting responsible outdoor recreation, and sharing his community’s story has inspired countless visitors, strengthened partnerships, and created lasting benefits for both the environment and the people of Sampson County. Sampson County Tourism proudly supports his nomination and celebrates the example he sets in leadership, stewardship, and community engagement.”

In honoring Philip Bell with the inaugural Stephanie Key Environmental Award, NC Coast Host also honors the Coharie teaching that when we take care of the river, the river takes care of us. His vision and leadership ensure that this sacred, sustainable, and shared relationship will continue to inspire and sustain Eastern North Carolina for generations to come.

Ryan Roberts and R & R Brewing: Tourism Impact Award for the Inland Coast