Wildlands Conservancy this week announced the winners of the 2009 Friend of the Lehigh River Awards: Monroe County Open Space Program; the late Ted Miller, founding member of Lehigh River Stocking Association; and Ron Horiszny.

The awards will be presented during the closing ceremonies of Wildlands Conservancy’s 13th Annual Lehigh River Sojourn at Hugh Moore Park, Easton at 4 p.m.

The Friend of the Lehigh River award is Wildlands Conservancy’s annual acknowledgment of individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, institutions, or governmental bodies who deserve to be recognized for their commitment to preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Lehigh River and its watershed.

“The preservation and protection of one of the Lehigh Valley’s most vital resources is a collaborative effort among many individuals, organizations, and government bodies. This award allows Wildlands Conservancy to applaud those who make a conscious effort to either protect the Lehigh River or educate others on its importance” says Christopher Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy.

2009 Award Recipients

Monroe County Open Space Programhas secured more than 10,500 acres of high value conservation lands for preservation and has been implemented by Monroe County Commissioners and the County Planning Department.

The Open Space Program has allowed for aggressive and diligent work to implement a county Greenway and Open Space Plan and has set a future goal to complete 100 projects and preserve an additional 60,000 acres in the next 10 years.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, municipal governments and non-profits have worked cooperatively through the Monroe County Open Space Program to make a commitment to help maintain the delicate balance of our natural resources while providing for the planned growth of the Pocono Region County.

In 2008, Wildlands Conservancy was able to protect more than 482 acres in Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships through the Monroe County Open Space Program. The property, located within the Pocono Plateau, contains natural resources of ecological significance.

One important feature is the Tunkhannock Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh River, which runs through the property from west to east. This acquisition prevents fragmentation and loss of natural habitats including hemlock-northern hardwood forest, leatherleaf-bog rosemary peatlands and globally rare mesic barrens (comprised of pitch pine, mixed heath, and scrub oak shrub lands). These habitats are known to support a variety of wildlife including rare moths and butterflies, migrating birds, and rare plants.

Ted Miller was an integral part of connecting people to the Lehigh River and brought about awareness of this once degraded resource. As the founder and chairman of the board of the Lehigh River Stocking Association, Miller dedicated countless hours of time aiding in the stocking efforts and conservation activities associated with the Lehigh River.

Miller was the owner of the Birch Creek Hatchery where he donated thousands of trout to be stocked in the Lehigh. Due to Miller’s hard work, efforts and leadership, he, along with the Lehigh River Stocking Association, were an integral part in making the Lehigh River a premier trout fishery.

Ron Horiszny has been a volunteer at Wildlands Conservancy for numerous years. During that time Horiszny has dedicated countless hours to the organization’s Bike and Boat Adventures programa s a trip leader and safety officer.

With his extensive knowledge of the ecology and history of the Lehigh River, love for the sport of canoeing, his ability to connect to participants and his commitment to trip safety has proven him to be an ideal trip leader while on the river.

Horiszny has also dedicated his time and talents to other areas of Wildlands Conservancy including helping promote the organization at community events, providing maintenance for the Wildlands Conservancy offices and help at Environmental Education programs and activities.