ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is now accepting nominations for an annual awards program created to recognize environmental leaders within the State of Vermont.
The ‘Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Awards’, will celebrate environmental stewards and their initiatives that have shaped inspired and encouraged long-term support of Vermont’s rich and diverse natural environment.
‘There are people, organizations and whole communities accomplishing great work, to the benefit of all Vermonters. These awards are designed to recognize grassroots leadership and to make Vermonters aware of the positive impact these efforts have had’, said ECHO’s Executive Director, Phelan Fretz.
This annual award will recognize efforts made throughout the Green Mountain State. An underlying purpose of the awards is to reward behavior that helps keep Vermont a leader in our Nation’s environmental integrity.
ECHO was established in 1995 with the mission of educating and delighting people about the ecology, culture, history and opportunity for stewardship of Lake Champlain. ‘What’s great about these awards is they allow ECHO to recognize active and ongoing environmental efforts, that will, once shared, inspire similar efforts on a regional and national level’, said Fretz.
This year, three specific awards will be given and they are:
Citizen Scientist Award: For an individual or organization showing the value of determination. An emphasis will be placed on grassroots persistence to address a continuing environmental challenge. The group or individual may or may not have specific or formal scientific training but will have made a contribution to science through commitment, passion or motivation public participation in environmental science activities.
Courage in Leadership Award: For an individual or organization taking up a cause of environmental conservation or stewardship issues because of a principled position in the face of likely public or political criticism.
What a Great Idea! Award: For an individual or organization responding in a creative way to an environmental challenge in the community. The action may be small or big.
A ceremony recognizing the finalists and winners will take place at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center on Thursday evening, April 14th in advance of Earth Week.
The Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Awards are being made possible by a partnership between ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center and the Burlington Free Press. Nominations are being accepted through January 31st. Application forms may be downloaded atwww.burlingtonfreepress.com/greenawards.
For more information call (toll-free) 1.877.324.6386 or visit www.echovermont.org.
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 Think! Café. 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.