The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is seeking nominations for two award programs: the Karl Mason Award and the Walter Lyon Award.  Nominations are due March 28.

The Karl Mason Award is given to an individual who demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of environmental management.

The Walter Lyon Award is given to an organization, project or program that made a unique, creative or significant contribution toward maintenance or restoration of Pennsylvania’s environmental quality or to the field of environmental management.

Karl Mason served as Pennsylvania’s first State Environmental Administrator from 1952 to 1966.  Karl’s holistic vision of environmental management embraced essential, but conflicting, needs associated with waste disposal and community environmental protection.  The general framework established by Karl serves as the foundation for Pennsylvania’s environmental protection programs to this day. 

Karl believed and put into practice the notion that environmental protection is primarily the business of professionals who have the skills, by virtue of their scientific training, to manage the technical and scientific complexities of maintaining a safe, healthy and clean environment.  He was committed to the belief that continuing education was an essential part of the career of every environmental professional.

Walter Lyon began his professional career as a sanitary engineer at the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington D.C. serving as Assistant Chief of the Planning and Development Branch, Division of Engineering Resources.  In 1957, he began his Commonwealth of Pennsylvania service as the Assistant Director of Sanitary Engineering Division, Department of Health, and was promoted to Director in 1958, a post held until 1970. 

In 1971, he became the Director of the Bureau of Water Quality Management, and from there he served as Deputy Secretary for Planning at DER.  From 1983 to 2013, Walter went on to teach and consult in the areas of environmental engineering and water policy. 

For many years, Walter participated in the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals conferences and special events and generously shared his knowledge and experience.  He was a strong advocate for employing highly educated, qualified, and experienced environmental professionals in the public and private sectors and serves as a role model for the environmental professionals of today and tomorrow.

The awards will be presented during the PAEP Annual Statewide Conference May 7-9 in Seven Springs.

Click Here for a copy of the nomination form.

3/10/2014