Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz today presented 23 Vermont organizations and individuals with the 2011 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Honorees were recognized for their efforts to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability.
This year’s recipients by category are:
Environmental Excellence in Pollution Prevention - Projects that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and wastes at the source including toxics use reduction (TUR) efforts.
89 North, Inc. - Designed first mercury-free, long life (50,000 vs. 200 hrs.) light source for fluorescence microscopy.
Aline Gadue Stirling and Gadue’s Dry Cleaning - Leader in green dry cleaning and replacement of perchloroethylene solvent with less toxic alternative, Solvon K4.
Central Vermont Public Service - Replaced 5000 gals/yr petroleum bar chain oil with biodegradable animal-based oils in chainsaws, reducing pollutants in clearing rights-of-way.
Environmental Excellence in Resource Conservation - Projects that conserve resources and protect the environment by minimizing resource consumption or by applying the strategies of reuse or recycling.
Advance Transit - Reduced greenhouse gases and pollution through comprehensive energy efficiency improvements in expanded and renovated building including solar electric and rainwater reuse. Added hybrid buses and vans to fleet.
Green Mountain Power - Provided innovative financial incentive for renewable energy through net metering and additional payment (6¢ per kwh), leading to a 400% increase in renewable energy projects which eliminated 3.6 million lbs. carbon.
Heritage Aviation & TruexCullins Architecture and Interior Design - Developed sustainability model in renovated aviation facility with green roof, wind turbine, ecological landscaping, porous pavement, and water reuse.
IBM’Facilities Manufacturing, Environment and Chemical Lab Team - Designed innovated air pollution scrubber technology that substantially reduced pollution releases, energy consumption, and water use.
IBM’Waste Water and Chemical Lab Team - Created wastewater treatment improvements that reduced 11,000 lbs/yr nitrate discharges to the Winooski River and saved 19,000 kWh/yr energy.
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center - Comprehensive, volunteer led, sustainability program at a small hospital.
Omega Optical Solid Waste Reduction Program - Comprehensive solid waste reduction program to reach zero waste by 2014.
Vermont Agency of Transportation - Implemented innovative roadway sensor technology for bad weather that saves travel time, reducing energy use thus reducing greenhouse gases.
Environmental Excellence in Earth Stewardship & Resource Protection - Projects with measurable and direct benefits to air, land or water ‘ or fish, wildlife and human communities dependent upon a clean and healthy environment.
Jim Sabataso - As coordinator of Sustainable Rutland led the community to promote and implement environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability throughout the Rutland region.
Marshall Webb - Designed and administers a controlled deer hunt on an annual basis at Shelburne Farms to minimize deer impact to the forest ecology.
Stowe Mountain Lodge - Established strong company-wide commitment to sustainability and carbon footprint reduction, with over 80 facility-wide initiatives implemented.
Environmental Excellence in Land Use & Land Use Planning - Projects that preserve or conserve land to create ecological and environmental benefits or that advance smart growth alternatives.
Vermont Woodlands Association - Created and provides weekend Forestry School programs for woodland owners. Also sponsors the Vermont Tree Farm Program.
Environmental Justice and Sustainability ‘ Projects that achieve greater environmental/economic justice and/or efficiency and help Vermonters to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Vermont Assistive Technology Reuse Project - Reuse, rehabilitation, and exchange program for durable medical equipment and adaptive vehicles directed to schools and the needy.
Environmental Excellence in Education & Outreach - Projects that inform and educate others about environmentally responsible practices or that empower citizens to enhance the quality of the environment for local, regional or global communities.
Grafton Elementary School - Student study of plastic bag impact, leading to promotion of reusable bags in the community and a proposed legislative ban of plastic bags.
Mad River Glen Cooperative - Since 1996, their nature program has offered environmental education including year round guided walks, the Kent Thomas Nature Center, and interpretive displays that encourages citizen science, volunteerism, and activism.
Marion Cross School - ‘Learning about the Environment through Experiential Education Projects’, model program integrating environmental teaching in all classes and grades.
SolarFest, Inc. - 17 years of providing a renewable energy conservation educational event and festival.
Steven Long and Virginia Barlow - Co-founders of Vermont Woodlands Magazine (now Northern Woodlands), and the Center for Northern Woodlands Education, providing conservation education for students, landowners, and the public.
The Keewaydin Foundation - Longstanding model residential outdoor educational program for elementary and middle school students.
Youth Environmental Citizenship Award - Projects accomplished by a young person or young people (21 years or younger) that achieve significant positive environmental outcomes.
· The ECHO E-team - Volunteer student team that designed and implemented quality educational programs in their communities after training at the ECHO center.