Ten groups, individuals honored for environmental service, leadership

Contact:  Ricki Gardenhire 502-564-5525

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 18, 2008) – Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Robert Vance and the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) today recognized individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the environment.

“The groups and individuals recognized today demonstrate outstanding environmental leadership and stewardship. By recognizing their efforts, we hope to motivate others to follow their lead,” Vance said during an Earth Week ceremony at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort. “I also want to recognize the positive work of the Environmental Quality Commission and its critical role of creating dialogue regarding environmental issues.”

The 2008 Earth Day Award recipients are:

• Chris Baker and the Kenton County School District’s Energy WISE program for its comprehensive effort to educate students, teachers and other staff members about energy conservation.
• Water Pioneers Water Quality Program for sponsoring a week-long, in-depth study of Appalachian watersheds for rising high school sophomores enrolled in the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Robinson Scholars Program.
• Sara Johns, Shelby County, for her volunteer work at Red Orchard Park in Shelby County.
• The Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community for its efforts in the 2006 and 2007 U.S. Conference of Mayors’ City Recycling Challenge. The partnership between UK, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the Fayette County Public Schools developed a promotional campaign to encourage recycling of aluminum cans. Thanks to the partnership’s efforts, more than 3.7 million cans were collected in Fayette County for recycling during the 2006 two-week contest and more than 10 million cans in 2007.
• Dr. Joe Baust, Murray State University, for his efforts and accomplishments in improving environmental education on the local, national and international levels.
• Mike Davis for his distinguished service as head of Fort Campbell’s environmental division.
• Harlan County Conservation District for its appliance buyback program that rid the county of more than 3,000 old appliances. The conservation district also sponsors litter cleanup activities with the Boy Scouts and makes grants available to classes that spend a day at Pine Mountain Settlement School for environmental education.
• Dara Moran, Fallsburg School, Lawrence County, for her commitment and enthusiasm in teaching students about the environment.

Judith Petersen, of Greensburg, received the Public Service Award for her professional career in environmental protection. A former employee of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, she is now executive director of the Kentucky Waterways Alliance.

Betsy Bennett, of Louisville, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her advocacy of clean air and water and the preservation of Kentucky’s natural resources.

The EQC is a seven-member citizen board created under state law.  Its mission is to facilitate public discussion and resolution of environmental issues, monitor environmental trends and conditions, promote partnerships to protect the environment for future generations and serve as an advisory board to the governor and other state officials on environmental matters.