2006 Environmental Stewardship Awards

One individual and three groups received the 2006 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards during a presentation July 5, 2006 by Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant and Executive Director of the Virginia Petroleum Council Mike Ward.

The event marked the eleventh year of the statewide environmental recognition program co-sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council (a division of the American Petroleum Institute) and the Commonwealth. Awards were presented in four categories: education, organization, individual and communication. 

“The award winners have been successful in providing information that will benefit the environment, and educating students and the public,” Bryant said. “We applaud their efforts.”

“The Virginia Petroleum Council and our member companies are pleased to support these awards,” Ward said. “The activities and programs represented by today's recipients should serve as an inspiration to all Virginians and remind us as to how we can all better protect our environment."

The awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding and innovative contributions to protect Virginia’s natural resources. The awards program supports the Virginia Naturally statewide effort to promote lifelong learning about Virginia’s environment and stewardship of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

The nominations for this year’s awards included beautification and conservation projects, ecological activities, environmental education projects and community or school programs. A list of the winners is below.

Organization
ClinchValleySoil and Water Conservation District, Lebanon – In 2004, this conservation district took the lead in identifying and mapping illegal dump sites in Russell County. Since starting the project, 287 illegal dumps have been identified and 98 percent of the county has been mapped. Using Global Positioning System instruments, staff members in the field record the exact location of dumpsites where some citizens improperly dispose of trash and other household goods. Information from survey sheets about the materials found at the site is loaded to a database for the development of detailed maps. The Russell County Litter Control Department uses the maps to clean up the sites with work provided by probationers, convicts and volunteers. Cooperation from local, state and federal agencies along with volunteers and citizens add to the growing success of the program, which is serving as a model for similar programs in neighboring counties.

Communication
Clean Valley Council, Inc., Roanoke – The council has developed a Green Construction Site Manual for green home building and design for about a dozen homes to be constructed in the Roanoke area. Initiated by the 2004 Cradle to Cradle architectural design competition, this manual directs builders and homeowners on how to minimize and eliminate waste resulting from new home construction and how best to use recycled materials. Spreadsheets in the manual describe where to purchase green, recycled and healthy products to be used for construction. The manual also provides a good reference of architects, clients, local governments and construction companies in the Roanoke Valley region.

Education
Southeastern Public Service Authority, Chesapeake – The Southeastern Public Service Authority is the solid waste management agency for south Hampton Roads and western Tidewater. The service authority submitted an environmental education program called the “Trashinator” for students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The program is a 45-minute play with a super hero action character who teaches the importance of recycling, how solid waste is managed and the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. The actors are drama students from Old Dominion University, and the program correlates Standards of Learning requirements.  In 2005 more than 5,000 students in 16 schools viewed a total of 24 performances.

Individual
Ms. Deanna Fehrer, Farmville – Ms. Fehrer is an active member of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners Association. She has helped generate additional local interest in the master gardener classes and programs, and was instrumental in forming the local Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Garden Club. She serves on two garden clubs and a bird club, and is employed by the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District. She is currently helping children at a private school in the Farmville area plan and plant a rain garden.