An organization that helped to protect public fishing rights, a group of school children that conducted field-testing and research on local waterways and a business that took steps to minimize pollution were among the 11 finalists in the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion.

The Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards recognize and honor outstanding accomplishments in various environmental initiatives throughout western Pennsylvania. The awards include cash prizes of $1,000 to be donated to local nonprofit environmental organizations designated by each winner.

The winners and finalists in each category are:

The finalists in the category of Community:

· WINNER - Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

· Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association & Trout Nursery

· Valerie Pettigrew Tarkowski, President, South Sandy Creek Watershed Association

The finalists in the category of Higher Education:

· WINNER - PENNTAP-ETAC-Penn State McKeesport Partnership Western PA

· Creek Connections, Allegheny College

· Mascaro Sustainability Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh

The finalists in the category of Primary or Secondary Education:

· WINNER - Powdermill Nature Reserve's Currents Connecting Cultures Program

· Fox Chapel Area School District

· Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Windows to Conservation Classroom

The finalists in the category of Business:

· WINNER - BioMost, Inc.

· Nature's Way Market

Funding for the awards comes from the Dominion Foundation, which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by Dominion companies.

5/26/2006