“Nurturing Environmental Leaders” was the theme of the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s annual awards and fundraising dinner this week as the group recognized eight individuals, companies and organizations for their environmental leadership.

PRC selected leaders from across the Commonwealth to receive awards in the categories of community, conservation, education, energy, environmental health, and sustainable design and development.

Donnan Stoicovy, Principal at the Park Forest Elementary School in the State College Area School District, was this year’s winner in the leadership in education category.

Ms. Stoicovy has been a leader in environmental education in Pennsylvania for 26 years having served twice as President of the PA Association for Environmental Educators. Her office is often a laboratory for environmental projects where she shares her love of the environment with students and teachers alike.

The school has received numerous recognitions and grants including PA Waste Watchers Award, Greenworks grants, and recognition by the State Environmental Education Roundtable for using the environment as an integrating context.

Whole Foods Markets was the winner of the award for leadership in the community.

Whole Foods’ seven stores offer “product swaps” where their shoppers can exchange a bottle of a conventional cleaning product for a safer, more eco-friendly alternative. Shoppers can also bring in plastic shopping bags in exchange for reusable canvas ones. They offer composting and recycling programs for their customers and their stores use 100 percent wind power energy.

Natural Lands Trust was recognized for their leadership in land conservation efforts in eastern Pennsylvania.

Since 1953, they have preserved more than 130,000 acres of land directly and through partnerships with individuals, conservation groups, and government agencies. They help communities achieve their own conservation goals through land-use planning, land stewardship and conservation-oriented development ordinances. They have provided consulting services to 122 municipalities in 23 Pennsylvania counties.

United Oil Company received an award for their leadership in green energy. United Oil Company’s products are specially designed to assist their customers with increasing productivity, reducing costs, improving safety and being environmentally friendly.

United has been a leader in the formulation and production of industrial lubricants, many of which are based on natural vegetable oils and animal fats, from which BioDiesel is also produced. They are especially proud to introduce United B100 Biodiesel fuel.

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Center for Environmental Oncology was selected for leading the way in environmental health.

By translating scientific research into practical, accessible information used to educate the public and health professionals about lowering exposure risks to environmental toxins, the Center works to influence public policy and provide a wide-range of educational outreach programs.

Since 2004, the Center for Environmental Oncology’s Community Outreach and Education division has reached well over a million people, locally, nationally, and internationally through educational sessions in the form of workshops, seminars, continuing medical education, conferences and events which cover a variety of environmental health topics.

The Philadelphia Water Department received an award for their leadership in sustainable design and development. PWD has integrated the City’s programs for combined sewer overflow, stormwater management, and source water protection into a watershed management based approach that uses land, waterway, infrastructure and sustainability practices to protect drinking water supplies and promote the propagation of fish and wildlife habitat.

Their watershed protection strategies, focused on our water resources, seamlessly compliment the region’s green development practices, recreation, ecotourism and sustainable riverfront re-development efforts.

Special recognition awards were presented to Rep. Carole Rubley (R-Chester) and Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) for their long-time legislative leadership on environmental issues. Both legislators have been members of the board of PRC.

PRC’s Annual Awards Dinner traditionally brings together more than 200 business, government and community leaders from throughout the Commonwealth.

For 68 years, PRC has been working with such leaders to create solutions to environmental challenges and to reach out to the community through its educational and service programs. These programs serve to encourage current and future leaders to take an active role in conserving our natural resources and promoting sustainable living.

Established in 1939 to reduce roadside litter and to fight illegal billboards, PRC is one of the Commonwealth’s oldest, grassroots, environmental organizations. PRC’s headquarters is in Ridley Creek State Park in suburban Philadelphia.

It also has a regional office in Pittsburgh and has satellite operations in the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York region. PRC’s programs have expanded to include resource conservation, environmental summer camps, recycling, composting, teacher workshops, watershed and air quality education, and a variety of litter prevention programs.

For information about the dinner, contact Carol Butler at 610-353-1555 ext. 230 or visit PRC’s website.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House will return to session November 13.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

Online Training

· Watershed Academy Webcast on Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· Bills Introduced

· Senate Committees Hold Hearings on Special Energy Session Issues

· Senate Agriculture Committee Sets Action on Conservation District, Other Bills

Other News

· PEC Urges Quick Action on Climate Change Legislation

· PSU Scientists Enhance Mother Nature's Carbon Handling Mechanisms

· Joint Committee Visits Innovative Schuylkill County Mine Reclamation Project

· More Conservation, More Renewables Result of Electric Competition Expert Says

· Projected Heating Costs, Natural Gas Supplies Estimated for This Winter

· PUC Appeals DOE Decision on National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor

· Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Opens for 2007-08 Season

· Philadelphia Eagles, PPL Announce Completion of Solar Panel Project

· PPL First Utility to Give Daily Electricity Use Information

· $521,000 in Grants to Improve Energy Efficiency, Prevent Pollution Awarded

· Nominations Now Being Accepted for Local Government Awards

· DEP Takes Action Against Seven Municipalities On Stormwater Regulations

· Trout Unlimited Chapter Investigation Leads to DEP Charges Against Mining Co.

· Wetlands Conservation, Stream Barrier Removal Grant Applications Due

· EPA Grant Supports Indoor Air Education in Philadelphia

· Scholarships Available for the Sixth Annual Social Venture Institute

· Game Commission Reminders With Deer Season Just Around the Corner

· Local White-Tailed Deer Information Available Online

· First Annual PA Prescribed Fire Conference February 19-20

· $366,000 Investment to Help Businesses Increase Use of Composted Material

· DCNR Names Deputy Secretary for Conservation, Technical Services

Spotlight

· Prescribed Fire Helps Restore Oak and Pitch Pine Forests in PA, The Nature Conservancy

Opinion

· Celebrating Nearly 20 Years of Recycling in PA— A Good Habit Getting Better. America Recycles Day November 15, By Anthony L. Crisci, Counsel, Pennsylvania Beverage Association

Grants & Awards

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

11/9/2007