The 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment, hosted by PEC, was held Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. This post is part of a series celebrating the six local initiatives and two individuals recognized for their contributions to environmental protection and restoration in the region.
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Over more than 40 years, hotelier Grant Genzlinger has worked to protect and enhance the outdoor resources that draw millions of visitors to Northeast Pennsylvania each year.
Genzlinger received the Thomas P. Shelburne award at the 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment. The award recognizes lifetime achievement on behalf of northeastern Pennsylvania’s environment through inspirational leadership, dedication and commitment to partnering.
Genzlinger was a founding board member of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, which to date has directly protected more than 18,000 acres of forests, farms, and waters in the region. The Conservancy’s work also programming, like guided wildlife excursions, to help people understand and appreciate the beauty of the region.
Within the hospitality industry, Genzlinger created the Green Lodging Program, which allows guests at participating hotels and inns to make a small donation to local land conservation. More than half a million dollars have been raised through the program, Genzlinger said.
“Our guests come to this area for the outdoors, for recreation, for just simply the beauty of our region,” he said. “So it’s a smart business decision for us to be involved, to create programs to help sustain what we do.”
Genzlinger credits these successes to the strong partnerships he has formed over the years. Most recently, he collaborated with Lackawaxen River Trails to establish a water trail along the group’s namesake river, which previously lacked public access. The group recently opened its third access point, providing new opportunities for people to enjoy the region’s natural beauty.
“One of the things about providing public access is the belief that if you get people to the river, they will care for the river,” Genzlinger said.
Grant Genzlinger accepted the Thomas P. Shelburne Award at the 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Plains, PA. To learn more about the awards and to see the full list of this year’s winners, click here.