By Michele Byers, Columnist
Every year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency presents awards to individuals and groups making extraordinary contributions to the environment and public health. This year, seven from New Jersey were honored. Their achievements remind us that anyone with determination and imagination can make a difference.
The agency’s Environmental Quality Awards include categories for individuals, educators, environmental and community groups, businesses and government.
Winners in the “Individual Citizen” category include Marie Springer, of Sussex County, who founded the Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Ms. Springer is a hands-on volunteer at the refuge, contributing more than 750 hours in the past two years. The National Wildlife Refuge Association recognized her efforts when they asked her to testify before Congress in support of refuge funding.
Margo Pellegrino, of Medford Lakes, Burlington County, also was a winner in this category for her unique way of raising awareness of the plight of our oceans: She paddled a 20-foot outrigger canoe 2,000 miles from Miami to Maine in the summer of 2007. Adopting the motto “Think Globally, Act Locally,” Ms. Pellegrino called national attention to ocean health through her 11-week journey.
In the “Environmental Education” category, Egg Harbor Township Middle School science teacher David Crawford won for the hands-on Adopt-A-Stream/Catawba Projects he co-pioneered to teach schoolchildren about the link between humans and the environment. The Atlantic County project’s reach has grown to include neighboring school districts and Richard Stockton College.
The Pequannock River Coalition of Passaic County was recognized for two highly acclaimed education programs. “River in the Classroom” brings aquariums with representative aquatic systems — including fish, insects and other river life — directly into schools. “Watershed Detectives” challenges students to find places in their communities that need restoration, and help in restoration projects.
In the “Nonprofit Organization, Environmental or Community Group” category, Hackensack Riverkeeper Capt. Bill Sheehan was recognized for his efforts in Hackensack River watershed, Meadowlands and Newark Bay Complex. Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc. maintains a full slate of restoration and advocacy activities, as well as a series of eco-cruises and other educational programs for the public.
Maplewood in Essex County was awarded the Environmental Quality Award in the “Federal, State, Local or Tribal Government or Agency” category for expanding its recycling program, conducting an annual Green Day Fair and constructing the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified municipal public building in New Jersey.
Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., of Atlantic City, was honored for instituting a series of “Go Green” initiatives at all of its properties. The program has — among many environmentally-sound practices — cut more than 94 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, saved 30,000 gallons of water, recycled 1.6 million pounds of cardboard and eliminated 1.1 million polystyrene cups annually.
Each of these Environmental Quality Award winners reminds us of the founding principle of many grass-roots conservation and environmental groups: Whether you are one concerned individual, a small citizens group or a corporate giant, you can make a positive difference for the Earth.
Michele Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. For more information, contact her at [email protected], or visit NJCF’s Web site at www.njconservation.org.
