The Watershed Gala is an upscale social gathering that celebrates good water quality, still being measured in many rivers, lakes, and streams, and recognizes those who work to sustain it. The event is also the MountainTrue Southwestern Office’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting water quality monitoring and improvement programs locally.
This year’s event will feature a menu of heavy hors d’oeuvres, along with wine, beer, sodas, and water. Popular local musician Troy Underwood will provide his bluesy, soul, and folk sounds for the evening. Join us for an evening of laughter, fun, and camaraderie… and to honor the winner of this year’s Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award!
Individual tickets including a table seat are $60/each; individual tickets without guaranteed seating (high top tables available) are $45/each. A reserved table for eight can be purchased for $400/each. The online reservations system will open on January 20, 2026.
Interested in sponsoring the 2026 Gala? Want to donate items or experiences to the silent auction that will take place at the gala? Contact Southwestern Regional Director Callie Moore (callie@mountaintrue.org).
Bill Holman was born and raised in North Carolina, graduating magna cum laude from N.C. State University in 1978 with a degree in Biology. He was executive director of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (now NC Land & Water Fund) from 2001 to 2006. The NC General Assembly established the CWMTF in 1996 to help finance the acquisition and restoration of buffers and wetlands, wastewater improvements, stormwater controls, greenways, and other water quality investments.
Holman served as Governor Jim Hunt’s Secretary of the NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources from 1999 to 2000 and as an Assistant Secretary from 1998 to 1999. Previously, Holman helped pass the Clean Water Responsibility Act of 1997, the Brownfields Cleanup Act of 1997, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Act of 1996, the Watershed Protection Act of 1989, and numerous other North Carolina environmental bills as a lobbyist for national environmental and conservation groups between 1979 and 1997.
Legislators, lobbyists, and news reporters ranked him among the top 10 most effective lobbyists in the NC General Assembly in 1985. Before beginning his career, he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1975. Holman directed Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions state policy program from 2007 to 2012.
Currently, he is Senior Advisor to The Conservation Fund in NC. He directed the Fund’s real estate programs from 2013 to 2023. His current projects include increasing funding for NC’s Land & Water Fund and Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, providing funding for state and local trails, and advocating for One Water strategies to protect drinking water and reduce flooding.
Holman has received many awards, including the Water Environment Federation’s Outstanding Contributions to the Water Environment for Non-Members Award in 2014. In 2000, Governor Hunt awarded Holman one of the state’s highest civilian honors, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
2025 – Johnny Strawn
2024 – John Kay
2023 – Mayor Andrea Gibby & the City of Young Harris, GA
2022 – Jason Chambers
2021 – David Liden
2020 – Brenda “BK” Hull
2019 – Dave Hering
2018 – Gilbert Nicolson
2017 – Bill Kendall & Barbara Mathis
2016 – Nancy Troxler
2015 – Tom Bennett
2014 – David Wood
2013 – Bonner Leaders & Nathan Hughues
2012 – Lucy Cole Gratton
2011 – Silas Allen
2010 – Lamar Paris
2009 – Jim Dobson
David Goldhagen of Hayesville, NC, was commissioned to create the Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award. Goldhagen’s unique painterly approach to art glass marries bold colors to brilliant, clear crystal in a clean, modern style.
Of the piece Goldhagen created for this occasion, former HRWC member and volunteer, the late Tom Bennett wrote: “The torso shape suggests the strength of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition and the power of water. The glass represents the fragile ecosystem of streams and rivers – the color of the living things in it that must be protected.”
Goldhagen’s work may be found in the permanent collections of numerous corporations, museums and foundations — more at goldhagenartglass.com.
