EPA Honors New Jersey Environmental
Leaders
Contact: Elizabeth Myer, (212) 637-3860, myer.elizabeth@epa.gov
(New York, N.Y.) The
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency today announced that it has honored ten individuals and
organizations from across New Jersey with Environmental Quality Awards for their
achievements in protecting public health and the environment. EPA Regional
Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by Mayor Dana Redd of Camden, New Jersey
to present the awards to this year’s recipients at a ceremony at EPA’s offices
in Manhattan.
“Change that will create a healthier and more sustainable future begins
with people like those the EPA is honoring today,” said Regional Administrator
Judith A. Enck. “They give of themselves and set a high bar in their actions to
protect public health and the environment.”
EPA presents Environmental
Quality Awards annually during Earth Week to individuals, businesses, government
agencies, environmental and community-based organizations and members of the
media in EPA Region 2, which covers New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands and eight federally-recognized Indian Nations. The awards
recognize significant contributions to improving the environment and public
health in the previous calendar year. For information about the Environmental
Quality Awards in EPA Region 2, visit
http://www.epa.gov/region02/eqa/.
Attached is a list of the award winners.
2012
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AWARD WINNERS
Individual Citizen
Andrew Kricun
As the Executive Director of the Camden County Municipal Utility Authority,
Andrew Kricun has improved water quality and promoted sustainability throughout
Southern New Jersey for 26 years. During his tenure at Camden County Municipal
Utility Authority, water quality performance has improved 40% while residential
rates remain unchanged. Mr. Kricun’s commitment to local, regional and national
environmental quality improvements have paved the way for a more sustainable New
Jersey.
Donna Macalle-Holly
As an employee of the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Donna Macalle-Holly works
closely with four surrounding towns to implement stormwater management projects
that reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Hopatcong. Donna worked
diligently on the Commission’s lake-friendly fertilizer program, developing an
educational webpage and creating slogans for signs that were widely distributed
in the community. Recently, she worked on an outreach initiative to educate the
public on the threat of a new invasive species, the water chestnut. Donna is a
regular contributor to local newspapers on the protection of Lake Hopatcong.
Doug O’Malley
Doug O’Malley has been an outstanding advocate for the environment. As Field
Director for Environment New Jersey, Doug has been an indefatigable advocate on
numerous issues such as climate change and the preservation of open space. Doug
has also led efforts to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation
in Congress and to fast-track New Jersey’s clean energy economy through strong
state standards for wind, solar and energy efficiency programs. He has written
editorial pieces and has been widely quoted in the press on issues of
environmental concern.
Dr. Nicky Sheats
As chair of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance and director of the
Center for the Urban Environment at the John S. Watson Institute for Public
Policy of the Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, NJ, Dr. Sheats has proven
a tireless environmental educator and fighter forenvironmental justice, both
locally and nationally. In recent years, Nicky Sheats has repeatedly stood with
low income communities of color throughout New Jersey in their struggles for a
clean and healthy environment.
Paul D. “Pete” McLain
Paul D. “Pete” McLain has been a champion of environmental protection
for more than 50 years. In his capacity as Deputy Director of the New Jersey
Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, Pete developed the NJ Non-game and
Endangered Species Program, the first in the nation. Pete was directly involved
in the reintroduction of the peregrine falcon and the revival of osprey
populations in New Jersey and has worked tirelessly to spread information on
wildlife and environmental issues via newspapers, magazines, radio and the
production of films. He founded the Barnegat Bay Student Grant Committee, which
provides funding for student research.
Environmental
Education
Project Reservoir
Project Reservoir is a multi-year, multi-disciplinary project designed,
implemented and maintained by the students of the Christa McAuliffe School, PS
#28 in Jersey City, NJ. The project is focused on the students’ efforts to help
revitalize and transform an abandoned local reservoir into a first class, state
recognized recreation and education center. Throughout the project, the team has
partnered with the Reservoir Preservation Alliance to identify problems, design
innovative solutions and solicit community support for their vision. The
students have enjoyed a unique environmental education experience while learning
to apply their academic skills to real world scenarios.
Richard Howlett
Richard Howlett is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Water
Association, which plays a pivotal role in the training of small-system water
and wastewater operators, provides on-site technical assistance for small
systems and helps to implement source water protection. Through innovative
approaches, Richard organizes and delivers free training to small systems
operators. Over 70 training sessions are offered each year, typically with 35-50
attendees at each meeting. At these sessions, water and wastewater operators are
trained in navigating the regulations under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean
Water Acts.
Non-Profit Organization, Environmental or Community
Group
Duke Farms Foundation
Duke Farms Foundation has recently refocused its mission to be a model of
environmental stewardship in the 21
st century and inspire visitors to
become informed stewards of the land. To carry out its new vision, Duke Farms is
upgrading a 22,000 square-foot former barn to LEED Platinum standards to serve
as an orientation center. This building’s electricity is being supplied by a
640-kilowatt solar array and 50 geothermal wells to heat and cool it. In
addition, a constructed wetlands system will treat wastewater on-site, and rain
gardens and bioswales will handle stormwater.
Land Conservancy of New Jersey
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member-supported non-profit land
trust whose mission is to preserve land and water resources, conserve open
space, and inspire and empower individuals and communities to protect our
natural land and environment. The Land Conservancy has preserved a total of
18,595 acres in 310 projects, including 14,507 acres in 245 projects in the New
Jersey Highlands. It has worked with 60 municipalities impacting over half of
New Jersey’s counties and benefitting millions of residents across the
state.
ReClam the Bay, Inc.
ReClam the Bay is a volunteer organization established by the Barnegat
Bay Shellfish Restoration Program, whose partners include Rutgers Cooperative
Extension, NJ Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Shellfisheries,
Ocean County and the Barnegat Bay Partnership. The group has trained over 120
certified shellfish gardeners, while its volunteers have put about 10.7 million
clams and three million oysters in the Barnegat Bay. In 2011, the Barnegat Bay
Shellfish Restoration Program taught nearly 9,500 people about the connection
between water quality and life in the bay, as well as how to protect and restore
the estuary.
For more details, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/region02/eqa
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our
Facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.
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