The Northeast Environmental Partners Monday announced the winners of their 2018 Environmental Leadership Awards, the Emerging Environmental Leader Award and the Thomas P. Shelburne Award.  The winners will be recognized at a special awards dinner on October 25 in Wilkes-Barre.

Environmental Leadership Awards

This year's winner of the Environmental Leadership Awards are-

-- Don Baylor, Monroe County, for his leading role in various conservation efforts throughout Monroe County.

Mr. Baylor partnered with numerous organizations to protect the streams of Monroe County and in turn those of the Delaware River Watershed. He collected biological data, conducted studies for environmental projects, acted as a liaison and facilitator between private groups, environmental organizations and government entities.

His service to numerous nonprofit organizations has led to collaboration among many groups allowing for cross pollination of environmental efforts and greater successes than any of these groups could have achieved individually.

--Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Northampton County, for their ability to form strong partnerships with local entities to not only complete the 165-mile D&L Trail, but also to create a regional network of interconnected multi-use trails in the Lehigh Valley.

Their ability to form and maintain unique partnerships is what allows for increased support for complicated projects.

The D&L has built relationships with organizations in 5 counties and over 50 municipalities to connect the D&L Trail and preserve the heritage of the region. They are a leader in conservation, recreation, and historic preservation in Northeast Pennsylvania.

-- Leggett and Platt, Incorporated – Branch 0383 Luzerne County, for the development of an environmental management system to implement environmental sustainability practices, encourage employee involvement, and establish partnerships with the community to achieve their sustainability goals.

Instead of simply meeting industry-specific environmental standards, they go well above and beyond to significantly improve resource management and lesson their impact on the environment.

The success of this program is attributed to the many partnerships the branch has and continues to develop with employees, other Leggett & Platt branches, suppliers, government agencies, and the community.

-- Patriots Cove, Wyoming County, is a wild native brook trout sanctuary specifically designed to provide optimal habitat features to restore, preserve, and protect a threatened fish species.

Patriots Cove partnered with the Wyoming County Conservation District and local volunteers to install log structures for trout habitat, remove log jams and trash in the waterways, and conduct water quality sampling.

More importantly, Patriots Cove is a place for veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty to fish and reconnect with nature.

Emerging Environmental Leader Award

The Emerging Environmental Leader Award will be presented to Dinah DiMeolo, Wyoming County, for demonstrating leadership, initiative, and dedication to protecting and promoting a healthy environment.

Ms. DiMeolo is currently a student at the Tunkhannock Area School District and is an avid hunter and outdoors person who has actively sought out both real world and academic experiences that support her passion for the environment.

She has not only pursued academic opportunities to learn more about wildlife and wildlife management but has volunteered and partnered with the USDA, Game Commission, hunters, teachers, other youth, and biologists to study wildlife and improve their habitat in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ms. DiMeolo has volunteered and learned from many different organizations to pursue her career goals in wildlife management and conservation.

Thomas P. Shelburne Award

The 24th Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award will be presented to Craig Todd, Monroe County. Mr. Todd is being honored for his more than 35 years of dedication and commitment to the environment.

Mr. Todd has spent his entire career working toward protecting the natural resources of Monroe County and northeastern Pennsylvania. His work ethic and drive allowed the Monroe County Conservation District to cooperate with numerous local and state agencies as well as the business community.

Throughout his tenure he partnered with organizations to work on protecting the local environment while utilizing smart growth initiatives.

Mr. Todd has never wavered in his commitment to soil and water conservation protection while working hand-in-hand with land preservation organizations and government agencies to make the system work better for everyone.

Mr. Todd understood that a clean environment would not only benefit the fauna and flora of the region but also the homeowners and businesses that call Monroe County home. His work while at the Conservation District has served as a model for other Conservation Districts within the state as well as for state and federal conservation partners.

He has been instrumental in preserving the sensitive resources in Monroe County while advocating for economic growth in compliance with environmental regulations.

Mr. Todd initiated conservation partnerships, worked cooperatively with conservation partners at all levels, and was instrumental in protecting the resources of Monroe County, the Delaware River Basin, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He led projects and initiatives that changed the way conservation practices are carried out on all levels.

Under his tenure he worked locally with other agencies in Monroe County on planning, agricultural land and open space preservation, stormwater management, water quality studies, litter control and beautification, and worked with businesses and economic development organizations to promote smart growth and development while maintaining a strong and compliant resource conservation program.

The Northeast Environmental Partners include Northeastern Pennsylvania  Alliance,Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, PA Environmental Council, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, and Wilkes University.

For more information on the awards dinner or to receive an invitation, please contact PEC at 570-718-6507 or visit the Northeast Environmental Partners Award Dinner webpage.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

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