Hal Taussig

Seven winners were honored at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards held March 3 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

More than a dozen “sustainability innovators” were finalists for the awards presented at a ceremony held during the annual Philadelphia Flower Show produced by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The awards showcase the Philadelphia region’s progress toward becoming the most sustainable city in America. The winners include homebuilders who design green buildings, environmentally-oriented charter schools, a business philanthropist, and a bicycling group that has young people refurbish old bicycles as a way to cut down greenhouse gases.

A distinguished panel of judges including nonprofit, government and business leaders from across the region selected six winners. Additionally, one “People’s Choice Award,” generated by online voting, was announced at the awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony is part of PEC’s initiative to educate, promote and encourage sustainable policies and practices among consumers, business owners and government agencies in the local region.

“This year’s winners confirm that the Philadelphia region is a hotbed of sustainable innovation by business leaders, entrepreneurs, individuals and government,” said Patrick Starr, Vice President of the Southeast Region of PEC. “The awards highlight practical achievements towards sustainability and encourage all Philadelphians to ‘go green’ as a matter of economic and personal growth.”

The award winners included:

TreeVitalize Program: Trends in southeastern Pennsylvania showed the loss of an alarming amount of trees. When the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources saw a need to the trend around, it had to be about more than just putting trees in the ground. The department convened a variety of stakeholders to develop the approach for TreeVitalize. Citizen and local government engagement, capacity building and stewardship became major program themes. The exciting results have led the department to apply the TreeVitalize model in other areas of the state.

Willingboro Sustainable Master Plan and Library: Willingboro, NJ is one of the three original Levittowns in America, and in the mid 90's was suffering from deterioration and economic loss that characterize the nation's 'First Ring' suburbs. Through a community-driven sustainability initiative, a Sustainable Master Plan has transformed Willingboro Plaza, a bankrupt, auto-centric, suburban, single-use project into a multi-purpose, diverse, secure and community-focused Town Center anchored by Willingboro Public Library. This accomplishment promises the best of possible sustainable futures within Greater Philadelphia.

Wissahickon Charter School: Wissahickon Charter School works to educate the next generation of environmental stewards through use of an integrated, service-learning based, sustainability-focused environmental education curriculum. Established as a public charter school with the mission of creating an environmentally-focused community of learning designed to stimulate the intellectual, social, and civic development of each child, WCS first welcomed 200 students in grades 1-5 in 2002. Since that time, the school has expanded in number and grade level, now providing a stimulating, environmentally-focused educational experience for a diverse and stable enrollment of 408 students in grades K-8.

Neighborhood Bike Works: Neighborhood Bike Works turns disused bicycles into opportunities for Philadelphia's youths. NBW introduces young Philadelphians to the fun and freedom of cycling in the city, increasing self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Community partnerships help expand NBW's reach and engage teachers, families and neighbors. Last year, NBW: Reclaimed 20 tons of bicycles; Put 800 refurbished bicycles back on the road; Taught 260 new youth safe bicycling and repair skills.

Don Gradley: Green Building Pioneer: Visionary homebuilder Don Bradley is committed to integrating renewable energy and green building strategies into low and zero-energy homes that can be built and operated affordably. With innovative projects spanning his 18 year green building career, including the 'Solar Pennsylvanian' (1989), the zero-energy 'Solar Patriot' (2001), Philadelphia's first affordable solar homes (2005) and now the first market-rate zero-energy solar community 'Maple Point' (2007), Don is dedicated to building sustainable housing in our city, causing change through committed action, effective partnerships and education.

Hal Taussing – Lifetime Achievement Award: Hal Taussig, president and founder of the travel company Untours, is committed to shrinking the growing gap between the rich and poor. His foundation, the Untours Foundation, provides low interest loans to create jobs, build low-income housing, and support the Fair Trade movement all through the most environmentally friendly means possible. Hal has also led the effort to create America's first Fair Trade town in Media, PA, which is now a community inspired to use its buying power to improve the lives of others.

Camphill Villiage Kimberton Hills – People’s Choice Award: Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, a community of 110 people, fosters dignity and models community living for people with and without disabilities. It includes innovative ways of working ecologically, agriculturally, therapeutically, and financially. Incorporating a biodynamic/organic CSA garden and dairy, photovoltaics, a constructed wetlands wastewater system, and a new geothermal heating and cooling system, as well as ecologically sustainable building and lifestyle practices, Kimberton Hills is a fine example of ecological practices incorporated into everyday life.

All 14 finalists for the Awards are available online.

The Philadelphia Sustainability Awards is a program of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Green Building Council, PennFuture, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, The Reinvestment Fund, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and American Institute of Architects,. The 2008 awards ceremony was sponsored by Urban Engineers and Environmental Management Assistance Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

NewsClip: Seven in Philadelphia Region Honored for Environment

3/7/2008