A celebration took place on Thursday evening, April 14, at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, where individuals and organizations were recognized for their leadership and contributions to Vermont’s environment.
Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Award recipients:
(left to right)
Citizen Scientist Award: Lori Fisher, Lake Champlain Committee
What a Great Idea! Award: Richard Travers, Freeaire Refrigeration
Courage in Leadership: Sarah Dopp, S. Burlington Land Trust
Fourteen finalists from around the state were present at the first annual Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Awards that drew close to 150 people and was hosted by both ECHO and FreePressMedia.
All of the guests were treated to a keynote address by David A. Donath, president and trustee of the Woodstock Foundation, which owns and operates the Billings Farm & Museum and is the primary operation partner of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park. His address touched upon Vermont’s leading role in environmental stewardship and this rich heritage which has created a state that is now the epicenter of the green movement.
The awards presentations immediately followed Mr. Donath’s remarks with Phelan Fretz, ECHO’s Executive Director acting as emcee. Close to fifty submissions were received for this first year and these were whittled down to 14 finalists for three categories: What a Great Idea!, Courage in Leadership, and Science Citizen.
And the winners are:
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! Award ~ RICHARD TRAVERS, Freeaire Refrigeration
In the 1970s, Richard Travers wondered why refrigerators couldn’t use the ample supply of Vermont’s cold, outdoor air to help keep the food cold. Today, Freeaire Refrigeration, based in Waitsfield, supplies refrigeration equipment to warehouses, retailers and other businesses that take advantage of cold outdoor air. Because of this design, the units use less electricity than traditional refrigeration.
COURAGE IN LEADERSHIP Award ~ SOUTH BURLINGTON LAND TRUST, Sarah Dopp
In 2008, the city of South Burlington decided to build a new police station on a centrally located, municipally owned piece of land. The South Burlington Land Trust swung into action, letting voters know that the land, now known as the Wheeler Nature Park, is the city's largest natural area and includes hardwood forest, ledge, wetlands and wildlife. The message resonated with the community, and the police station project was relocated.
CITIZEN SCIENTIST Award ~ THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN COMMITTEE, Lori Fisher
The blue-green algae that appear in parts of Lake Champlain in the summer is disgusting -- and deadly. While UVM has a regular lake wide monitoring program, more monitoring was needed along the shoreline where people and animals play. In 2003, the Lake Champlain Committee organized citizen scientists to take weekly samples along the Missisquoi Bay and have added other locations. The data are used to understand what triggers the algae blooms and determine when beaches should be closed to prevent health hazards.
Each winner received a check for $1000 plus a hand blown glass carafe made by Simon Pearce Glass Blowers of Vermont. Each carafe, which symbolizes the natural elements of fire, earth, air and water, was etched with the name of the award and the year it was received.
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is located at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Vermont’s Burlington Waterfront. ECHO features 70 live species, more than 100 interactive experiences, changing and permanent exhibits and seasonal events ‘ all exploring the Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. The 2.2 acre Leahy Center environmental campus is also highlighted by the Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room, UVM’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, Lake Champlain Navy Memorial, ECHO’s Eclectic Gift Shop, and ecology-themed Café, managed by Sugarsnap. Open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day. For more information visit echovermont.org, call (toll-free)1.877.324.6386, or write to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401.