2002 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Award - Details

RICHMOND, VA., June 19, 2002 - - - The 2002 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards were presented today to recipients at a luncheon by Virginia's Secretary of Natural Resources, W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. and Mike Ward, Executive Director, Virginia Petroleum Council.

The event marked the seventh year of the statewide environmental recognition program co-sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council and the Commonwealth. Nominations were received from throughout the State. Eight awards were presented in four categories: youth, adult, organization and communication/education.

The awards honor those individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding and innovative contributions to protect and enhance Virginia's natural resources. The awards program supports the Virginia Naturally statewide effort to promote lifelong learning about Virginia's environment and stewardship of the Commonwealth's natural resources.

Ward commented, "The Virginia Petroleum Council and our member companies are pleased to support these awards. The activities and programs represented by today's recipients should serve as an inspiration to all Virginians and remind us as to how we can all better protect our environment."

Many of the nominations included beautification and conservation projects, ecological activities, environmental education projects, and community or school cleanup and recycling programs.

Award recipients and their guests attended a recognition luncheon held at the Richmond Marriott West hotel. A list of the winners and runners-up is attached.

COMMUNICATION/EDUCATION CATEGORY - WINNER:

Let's Be Water Smart (Williamsburg, VA) "Let's be Water Smart" is a public/private water management initiative of the James City Service Authority (JCSA). Their goal is to promote responsible water usage in the county. James City County is the largest municipality in Virginia whose water supply is almost exclusively ground water. Population projections and economic growth within the county have raised pubic awareness of the inadequacy of public water supplies to satisfy future needs. Let's be Water Smart was launched in April 2001 and immediately attracted twenty-two business partners, including irrigation companies, landscape contractors, nurseries, and builders. Throughout the summer of 2001, partners contributed to cooperative advertising, hosted workshops, and participated in contests, including the 2001 Peninsula Homebuilders Parade of Homes. Let's be Water Smart components include educational and promotional items; a website featuring Water Smart tips, news and events; a Water Smart Workshops for residents; print advertising campaign in local newspapers; public presentations and participation in local environmental events; water smart gardening contests for residents; water smart plant lists; and ongoing public relations activities. Through this program residents of James City County have become more aware of their need for water conservation in their county.

RUNNER-UP:

Clara Mills (Beaverdam, VA) Clara Mills is an environmental educator for Spotsylvania County and has been educating students about the environment for the past 6 years. This year however she developed a CD-ROM computer-based quiz show, which appeals to middle and high school students entitled "Who Wants to be an Environmental Millionaire." This program allows students to study questions on the standard of learning test just by playing the game. This project was instrumental in developing a partnership between teachers, students and county government and has been a great success. At the present time more than 85,000 students and adults have enjoyed the trivia and competition of becoming an Environmental Millionaire. The project was funded through a litter prevention grant and was distributed to program managers and placed on many web sites throughout Virginia.