2005 Environmental Stewardship Awards
The 2005 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards were presented to recipients at a luncheon by Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources, David Paylor and Mike Ward, Executive Director, Virginia Petroleum Council.
The event marked the tenth year of the statewide environmental recognition program co-sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council and the Commonwealth. Nominations were received from throughout the State. Eight awards were presented in four categories: youth, adult, organization and communication.
Youth:
Ms. Morgan McDowell - South Boston:
As a senior at Halifax County High School and President of Future Business Leaders, Ms. McDowell organized a recycling program at the school to deal with cafeteria waste. She also initiated a visit to the local recycling plant and a "hands-on" experience for students making the visit. She is an Honor Student, past Secretary of the 4-H Club, active with the Halifax County Rescue Squad and has helped with a roadside litter pick up program as well as a trash pick up effort at Staunton River State Park.
The Lynnhaven River Keepers-Virginia Beach :
Students at Kingston Elementary School created play about cleaning up the Lynnhaven River. They adopted seven acres of park and April 5, 2006th Relay Day to increase awareness of pollution. They also raised baby oysters and money to track harbor seal movements.
Adult:
Mr. Russell Johnson (Chairman, Friends of Smith Mountain Lake )- Moneta , Va:
As director of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, Mr. Johnson started the Friends of the Lake fundraisApril 5, 2006 and health of the lake. He set objectives to restore funding for the lake water quality-monitoring program. His efforts were instrumental in raising over $225,000 in cash and pledges to support water quality programs on the lake and the riparian buffer zone project.
Mr. Andrew Jackson-Harrisonburg:
As the Science Coordinator for Harrisonburg public schools, Mr. Jackson developed a school curriculum program featuring Blacks Run stream to teach school kids about watersheds, ecology, urban and aquatic habitats, and storm water management. He held teacher-training sessions on the curriculum and helped put it into use. Mr. Jackson is active on the Board of Friends of Blacks Run Greenway. He was also involved with the design and publication of the Blacks Run Greenway “Stream Stroll” brochure.
Organization:
The Elizabeth River Project-Hampton Roads:
This non-profit group is dedicated to restoration of the Elizabeth River. Their work involves restoring natural habitats and bringing business partners together to advance the goal of returning the river to the highest practical environmental quality. The effort includes a participant appreciation program and overseeing an educational program to help school children become better stewards.
Virginia Sustainable Building Network-Arlington:
This network promotes environmentally sound building and development practices. Their promotion of the “ Green Building” design creates energy efficient building layouts, helps conserve water use and protects indoor air quality.
Communications:
City of Newport News Environmental Calendar-Newport News:
Several departments with the City of Newport News collaborated to develop and print an Environmental Events Calendar, which is mailed to 40,000 households annually. The calendar combines environmental stewardship information, recycling, and waste pickup dates with attractive photos of the Hampton Roads area.
Virginia Forever-Richmond:
This program is a grassroots campaign launched by a coalition of conservation and environmental organizations, business groups, state agencies, sportsmen and industry in the effort to seek increased funding for natural resources protection in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Due in part to their efforts, significant budget allocations were realized for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and the Water Quality Improvement Fund in 2005.