News Release U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
Rhode Island Citizens Receive Prestigious Regional EPA Environmental Awards
The merit awards, recognizing valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving, are a unique way that EPA can recognize individuals and groups that are making significant impacts on environmental quality in distinct ways. Awarded by EPA since 1970, the merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the region's environment. This year's competition drew nearly 100 nominations from across New England. Awards were given in the following categories: individual; business (including professional organizations); local, state or federal government; and environmental, community, academia or nonprofit organization. Each year, EPA also may present lifetime achievement awards for individuals. "Congratulations to all of our 2012 Environmental Merit Award recipients. These awards are close to my heart because they acknowledge the importance of environmental stewardship, said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. "As stewards, all of these recipients are making real and lasting differences in communities across our beautiful region. Whether it's finding innovative ways to safeguard our water resources or conserving the energy our communities use each day, each individual has advanced our mission to protect human health and the environment." More information on all Environmental Merit Award Winners from this year and past years is available at: http://www.epa.gov/region1/ra/ema/index.html The Environmental Merit Award Winners from Rhode Island are: Lifetime Achievement Environmental Merit Award: Nancy L. Langrall Peter Lord (posthumous) Individual Environmental Merit Award Greg Gerritt Greg has devoted his life to protecting and promoting natural ecosystems. More than forty years ago, he organized his high school to celebrate the first Earth Day in New York City, and since then he has worked in a number of different organizations to promote the greening of America. Before embarking on full time political and activist work, Greg ran a carpentry business and built a solar powered homestead. He has been a leading advocate for ensuring that ecology is a component of efforts to create a sustainable state economy. In his role at the Environment Council of Rhode Island, Greg organizes events, talking to school groups, helping to connect the various threads of the environmental community and fostering the development of the next generation of environmental activists and organizations - with a focus on environmental justice. One of Greg’s greatest passions is composting, and he has been working tirelessly to increase the composting infrastructure in Rhode Island. Three years ago, he organized the first composting workshop in Providence for about 60 people under the auspices of Rhode Island’s Urban Agriculture Task Force. The third annual Compost Conference and Trade Show was held this February. More than 250 attendees heard the call to action to divert organic waste from the Johnston landfill through a compost collection and processing program - on any scale. In addition, Greg runs a consulting practice called Prosperity for Rhode Island, which connects the healing ecosystems and prosperity in New England communities. John Torgan Business, Industry, Trade or Professional Environmental Merit Award Kent Hospital, Warwick, RI Last year, the EPA New England assistance group started looking for hospitals that had examples of rain gardens and other sustainable landscaping. EPA found two New England hospitals that were not only early adopters of sustainable landscaping in a healthcare setting, but had both worked with EPA to promote sustainable landscaping at other New England hospitals. Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island and Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, gave freely of their time and expertise over the last year, educating hospitals on how to design gardens while also managing stormwater through sustainable landscaping practices. To address stormwater runoff in New England, Kent Hospital and Greenwich Hospital developed healing rain gardens. These natural landscapes help reduce pollution from stormwater while connecting patients to a healthy environment. The leadership of these providers in developing dynamic green solutions is an example of how sustainability reaches every corner of our society. These hospitals have proven to be leaders in healing garden development. They organize tours, present at conferences and reach the larger public through media programs. The early adoption of sustainable landscaping is a practical solution to satisfy stormwater compliance issues, LEED certification standards and outdoor aesthetics. These hospitals have strengthened their regional identities as healthcare providers through low impact design and innovative leadership. More information on EPA’s Environmental Merit Awards in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/ra/ema/index.html) # # # Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/newsevents/index.html) Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland) More info on EPA's Environmental Results in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/results/index.html)
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Awards and Recognition News Release (Region 1): Rhode Island Citizens Receive Prestigious Regional EPA Environmental Awards
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