Environmental Partnership Award Winners

The Northeast Environmental Partners and over 400 guests recognized nine individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to protecting and enhancing the environment of Northeast Pennsylvania at their annual awards dinner this week in Wilkes-Barre.

Also recognized was Ellen Ferretti, director of the Northeast Office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, for her tireless work for the environment. She will be moving on to work for the Nature Conservancy.

The Northeast Environmental Partners is an alliance of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Northeast Office, Wilkes University, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources serving the 11 county Northeast -- Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties.

The keynote speaker was Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Gov. Rendell made a special drop by visit.

The annual Environmental Partnership Awards, established in 1990 as an Earth Day project of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partners, salute those who bring diverse groups and individuals together to solve problems of common interest—to recognize those who use partnering as their primary method of achieving environmental progress.

This year the Awards went to:

Andrea Nerozzi, PhD of Kingston, Luzerne County, for her work and partnership efforts with the Advanced Placement Environmental Science Class and Student Research Group at Wyoming Seminary in incorporating urban forestry into their studies and community work.

Twin Walker Creeks Watershed Association of Shohola, Pike County, for their work and partnering in promoting a better understanding of the Twin/Walker Creeks watershed and its ecosystem and protecting, restoring and enhancing the watershed through proper management and stewardship.

Pocono Heritage Land Trust of Pocono Pines, Monroe County, for its work, partnership efforts and dedication to the conservation of important lands and waters, including open spaces, agricultural landscapes and natural areas, in the Pocono Northeast.

Hicks Creek Watershed Association of Exeter, Luzerne County, for their dedicated focus and work in partnering to restore and protect Hicks Creek Watershed by promoting environmental integrity, including restoring flow, controlling erosion and sedimentation, reducing and preventing pollution and education.

Greater Hazleton Civic Partnership's Rail-to-Trails Committee in Hazleton, Luzerne County, for its partnership work in making the Greater Hazleton Area the "best place to live, learn work, worship and play" through converting abandoned rails to hiking, biking and skiing trails.

Sally Corrigan of Hawley, Pike County, for her dedication and partnership efforts as the Watershed Specialist at the Pike County Conservation District in nurturing the development of various watershed groups and coordinating their activities through the Upper Delaware Watershed Alliance.

City of Hazleton for the Pine Street Neighborhood Development, Luzerne County, for their partnership efforts to revitalize one of the most blighted areas in the City with new homes, all of which are crafted from environmentally friendly materials to earn the designation of "Green Homes."

Abington Little League of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, for their work in partnering with others to purchase abandoned and degraded land in Glenburn Township and successfully applying for and receiving funds to conduct plantings, cleanups and construction of five newly designed playing fields.

Peter Pinchot received the Tenth Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award for serving as Pike County's "advocate general" in partnering with others to promote sustainable forestry, ecological conservation and sound land use planning by providing extremely thoughtful presentations and tours to a myriad of influential audiences.

For the past two decades, Pike County has been the fastest growing county in the Commonwealth, and Peter's work has helped balance this growth with environmental needs. His volunteer efforts are focused on promoting and building on the conservation legacy that his grandfather introduced into America 100 years ago.

The Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award was established in 1995 to commemorate Thomas Shelburne, a highly respected community leader, who devoted himself, over four decades, to the protection and improvement of Pennsylvania's environment.

This year's dinner chair and emcee was Mr. H. W. "Skip" Weider, Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant, Geisinger Health System. Mr. Weider has been with Geisinger since 1984, serving as Senior Vice President for Development and then as Senior Vice President for Development and Government Relations.

NewsClip: Governor Salutes Partnership, Urges Action on Growing Greener II

10/22/2004