Sen. Noah Wenger and Wayne Kober

The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals announced former Sen. Noah Wenger of Lancaster County was given the Karl Mason Award to recognize his commitment to the environment, conservation, and the health of family farms.

“He has long understood that the health of our agricultural economy is crucial to the water quality in our rivers and streams, and has acted to ensure the health of both,” said Wayne Kober, representing PAEP.

After 30 years of service, Sen. Wenger retired this past December, leaving behind him a long list of accomplishments. Among them, Sen. Wenger is credited with spearheading the state’s farmland preservation program, which was launched in 1989. Pennsylvania now leads the country in the total number of acres permanently protected, and last month achieved the significant milestone of 3,000 farms preserved.

Sen. Wenger also served as Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative commission dedicated to advising the General Assemblies of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania on matters of Bay-wide concern.

Sen. Wenger has also worked tirelessly to help farmers get the tools they need to improve stewardship of the land. Last July he introduced the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), that if enacted, would reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay by 15 million pounds annually.

The Award’s name-sake, Karl Mason, served as Pennsylvania’s first State Environmental Administrator from 1952 to 1966. Karl’s holistic vision of environmental management set the pattern for the state that embraces all essential elements of the problems of air, water and land related waste disposal and community environmental protection.

The general framework established by Karl Mason serves as the foundation for Pennsylvania’s environmental protection programs to this day.

Karl Mason 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.

For more information visit the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals website.

If you are interested in assisting in promoting research and dissemination of information about the Commonwealth’s rich conservation heritage, contact, Wayne Kober, Chair of the PAEP Conservation Heritage Committee at wwkpa@hughes.net.

6/8/2007