Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners Announce Awards Dinner & Award Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 24, 2018

NEWS FROM: Northeast Environmental Partners
CONTACT:
Angela Vitkoski, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
PHONE:
570-718-6507
EMAIL:
[email protected]

 

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS ANNOUNCE AWARDS DINNER & AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

Luzerne – The Northeast Environmental Partners (Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, and Wilkes University) are pleased to announce the 27th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort.

RECIPIENTS OF THE 28th ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP AWARDS:

  • Don Baylor, Monroe County, for his leading role in various conservation efforts throughout Monroe County. Mr. Baylor partnered with numerous organizations to protect the streams of Monroe County and in turn those of the Delaware River Watershed. He collected biological data, conducted studies for environmental projects, acted as a liaison and facilitator between private groups, environmental organizations and government entities. His service to numerous non-profit organizations has led to collaboration amongst many groups allowing for cross pollination of environmental efforts and greater successes than any of these groups could have achieved individually.
  • Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Northampton County, for their ability to form strong partnerships with local entities to not only complete the 165-mile D&L Trail, but also to create a regional network of interconnected multi-use trails in the Lehigh Valley. Their ability to form and maintain unique partnerships is what allows for increased support for complicated projects. The D&L has built relationships with organizations in 5 counties and over 50 municipalities to connect the D&L Trail and preserve the heritage of the region. They are a leader in conservation, recreation, and historic preservation in Northeast Pennsylvania.
  • Leggett and Platt, Incorporated – Branch 0383 Luzerne County, for the development of an environmental management system to implement environmental sustainability practices, encourage employee involvement, and establish partnerships with the community to achieve their sustainability goals. Instead of simply meeting industry-specific environmental standards, they go well above and beyond to significantly improve resource management and lesson their impact on the environment. The success of this program is attributed to the many partnerships the branch has and continues to develop with employees, other Leggett & Platt branches, suppliers, government agencies, and the community.
  • Patriots Cove, Wyoming County, is a wild native brook trout sanctuary specifically designed to provide optimal habitat features to restore, preserve, and protect a threatened fish species. Patriots Cove partnered with the Wyoming County Conservation District and local volunteers to install log structures for trout habitat, remove log jams and trash in the waterways, and collect water quality samples. More importantly, Patriots Cove is a place for veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty to fish and reconnect with nature.

The Emerging Environmental Leader Award will be presented to Dinah DiMeolo, Wyoming County, for demonstrating leadership, initiative, and dedication to protecting and promoting a healthy environment. Dinah is currently a student at the Tunkhannock Area School District. Dinah is an avid hunter and outdoors person who has actively sought out both real world and academic experiences that support her passion for the environment. She has not only pursued academic opportunities to learn more about wildlife and wildlife management but has volunteered and partnered with the USDA, PA Game Commission, hunters, teachers, other youth, and biologists to study wildlife and improve their habitat in northeastern Pennsylvania. Dinah has volunteered and learned from many different organizations to pursue her career goals in wildlife management and conservation.

The 24th Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award will be presented to Craig Todd, Monroe County. Mr. Todd is being honored for his more than 35 years of dedication and commitment to the environment. Mr. Todd has spent his entire career working toward protecting the natural resources of Monroe County and northeastern Pennsylvania. His work ethic and drive allowed the Monroe County Conservation District to cooperate with numerous local and state agencies as well as the business community. Throughout his tenure he partnered with organizations to work on protecting the local environment while utilizing smart growth initiatives.

Mr. Todd has never wavered in his commitment to soil and water conservation protection while working hand-in-hand with land preservation organizations and government agencies to make the system work better for everyone. Mr. Todd understood that a clean environment would not only benefit the fauna and flora of the region but also the homeowners and businesses that call Monroe County home. His work while at the Conservation District has served as a model for other Conservation Districts within the state as well as for state and federal conservation partners. He has been instrumental in preserving the sensitive resources in Monroe County while advocating for economic growth in compliance with environmental regulations.

Mr. Todd initiated conservation partnerships, worked cooperatively with conservation partners at all levels, and was instrumental in protecting the resources of Monroe County, the Delaware River Basin, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He led projects and initiatives that changed the way conservation practices are carried out on all levels. Under his tenure he worked locally with other agencies in Monroe County on planning, agricultural land and open space preservation, stormwater management, water quality studies, litter control and beautification, and worked with businesses and economic development organizations to promote smart growth and development while maintaining a strong and compliant resource conservation program.

For more information on the awards dinner or to receive an invitation, please contact PEC at 570-718-6507.

 

About the Pennsylvania Environmental Council

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a statewide organization that brings people, government, and business together to find real world solutions for environmental challenges. These solutions bring about sustainable communities, protect our water resources, and address energy and climate issues. PEC was founded in 1970 and serves the entire state through offices in Luzerne, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College.

For more information, visit www.pecpa.org.