Individuals, businesses and organizations lauded for leadership
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
Six Sustainable Princeton Leadership Awards were presented to individuals, businesses and organizations during an Earth Day ceremony Saturday at the Princeton Public Library.
The awards, sponsored by the Princeton Environmental Commission initiative Sustainable Princeton, are intended to raise community awareness of sustainable activities, according to the Environmental Commission.
Recipients included businesses Whole Earth Center and White Lotus Home, organizations Princeton Future and Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust, and individuals Dorothy Mullen and Peter Soderman.
"A sustainable community improves and enhances local resources by safeguarding the environment, by maintaining a strong and diverse economy and by improving the quality of life for all members of the community," Sustainable Princeton Chairwoman Wendy Kaczerski said during the award ceremony.
Ms. Kaczerski added that the six recipients exemplify the definition of sustainability.
Whole Earth received the award for its support of sustainable agriculture and its aim to reduce waste by the sale of bulk foods, the Environmental Commission statement said. Whole Earth a not-for-profit organization that uses its net income to host seminars and fund groups working to protect natural resources boasts the area’s only 100-percent organic produce section, the Environmental Commission stated. In addition, the store facilitates grassroots environmental activism and demonstrates that environmental preservation depends on responsible consumption, the Environmental Commission noted.
White Lotus, a family-owned and operated business that sells natural pillows, mattresses and bedding accessories, was recognized because it offers affordable bedding with no toxins crafted in a way that fosters environmental stewardship and fair labor standards, the Environmental Commission stated. Recently, White Lotus became the first business in New Jersey to purchase 100 percent of its electricity from the generation of wind power, according to the Environmental Commission.
Resident Dorothy Mullen received an award for her organic vegetable garden. According to the Environmental Commission, Ms. Mullen replaced her front lawn with an organic vegetable garden and, in the summer, invites people to help themselves to its offerings. With the purpose of teaching children to garden and enjoy fresh food, Ms. Mullen created a vegetable garden for Riverside Elementary School a project that evolved into a garden-based curriculum and has become a model for other Princeton schools.
Resident Peter Soderman was awarded for his efforts in the success of the Princeton Community Garden. Mr. Soderman planted and tends the community garden, which supplies fresh produce to Mediterra Restaurant and is the location of a weekly farmers’ market in the summer. Mr. Soderman also originated the idea of and landscaped Writers Block. He is now creating an edible garden at Community Park School.
Princeton Future, a collaboration of activists, academics, architects, planners and business and nonprofit leaders, was awarded for its action in providing feedback, support and recommendations for local projects such as the new downtown plaza, garage and apartments adjacent to the Princeton Public Library and the organization of a Witherspoon Street Corridor Study.
The D&R Greenway Land Trust was awarded for its preservation of 8,546 acres of open space and natural lands throughout central New Jersey including 779 acres in Princeton. The Environmental Commission stated that under the leadership of Executive Director Linda Mead, the D&R Greenway Land Trust and partners protected three significant properties in the Princeton-Lawrence area: Greenway Meadows Park, Farm View Park and Carson Road Woods.
Ms. Kaczerski said the six recipients "are people who think about the future when they make decisions about the present, who help our economy thrive without destroying the natural environment on which we depend and who work to improve the social health of our community."
Ms. Kaczerski added that the work done by the recipients "has improved Princeton’s relationship with the Earth and has improved the quality of life we enjoy."

