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The 30th Annual 2007 Tawes Award for Clean Environment offered the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Secretary Shari T. Wilson a welcome opportunity to recognize four special Marylanders for their stewardship and achievements in preserving and protecting our environment.
The Tawes awards ceremony was held on May 21, at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. The event is co-sponsored by MDE and the Maryland Petroleum Council to recognize an adult and youth for their efforts in environmental quality and protection.
“Sharing and giving of these citizens’ time and talents for environmental stewardship is something that Maryland treasures when protecting our State’s precious resources and the Chesapeake Bay,” said MDE Secretary Shari T. Wilson. “Their contributions give meaning to MDE’s work and advance their communities and our environment with learning, teaching, and hands-on efforts to join our mission in protecting and restoring the environment.”
Origins of the Environmental Service Awards
When the first Tawes Award event took place in 1978, the State Water Resources Administration, a predecessor to MDE’s Water Management Administration, honored five members. The event was held with a clambake in Governor Tawes’ hometown of Crisfield. Quiet Waters Park now presents a perfect venue, as it is a living testament to the beauty that Maryland works to preserve.
The Tawes Award for a Clean Environment is an environmental recognition program sponsored by MDE and the Maryland Petroleum Council (MPC). The award is named in honor of late Maryland Governor J. Millard Tawes, who was the state’s first secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. The award is open to any individual, civic, community, or non-profit entity that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland’s environment over a period of time or with a single project.
Young Leader in Home, Environment, Community
The Tawes Award in the Youth Category was presented to Edward Sinnes, a junior from La Plata High School, Mr. Sinnes leads by example through his family, school, and community activities. He has nearly completed his Eagle Scout requirements. Mr. Sinnes participated in the Izaak Walton League in restoring and creating natural habitats and environmental improvements at the Waldorf property. Edward is a 3-year member of La Plata High School Envirothon Team, which won the St. Mary’s County competition in his first 2 years. He was a student representative on Southern Maryland Branch of Resources Conservation and Development Board during his junior year and will hold that seat for next year. His science fair projects included family composting, use of chemical versus natural fertilizer, comparison of fertilizer components, and upkeep of his family’s organic garden.
Botanical Treasures
The Tawes Award in the Adult Category was presented to Jeffery A. Grills, the co-director of Frederick County Public School’s Earth and Space Science Laboratory. Mr. Grills spent four years developing the South Frederick Arboretum and Educational Walkway Project with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which took 4 years to develop. The Arboretum and Educational Walkway is a 2-acre interpretive walkway with 200 native species of trees and rocks. Mr. Grills is the co-director of Frederick County Public Schools Earth and Space Science Laboratory. Over 16,000 students per year visit the Earth and Space Science Laboratory, located at Lincoln Elementary School. Mr. Grill’s project offers them first-hand experience in geology, botany, ecology and animal habitats.
James B. Coulter Award Honors Government Employees
This year marks the second presentation of the James B. Coulter Award to acknowledge environmental contributions by a government employee who goes above and beyond their duties to improve Maryland's environment. Mr. Coulter served as Maryland’s second secretary of the Department of Natural Resources from 1971 to 1983.
Secretary Wilson presented the James B. Coulter Award to the MDE Jacksonville Release Project Team, which consists of two members: Ellen Jackson and Barbara Brown. Their quick response and supervision of the event was important in obtaining key evidence for MDE enforcement actions related to the release of more than 26,000 gallons of gasoline at a Jacksonville gasoline station in Baltimore County. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Brown performed geology work following the release. This work is critical because the spill occurred in a sensitive groundwater use area. Their expertise helped control and contain the release. After long evenings and weekend hours on this intensely scrutinized case, the MDE team members were able to reassure the public, protect private wells, oversee the installation of over 300 monitoring wells, and ensure placement of a complex recovery system to protect public health.
Summing up the event, Secretary Wilson thanked the ceremony attendees, advocated continued environmental stewardship and stressed the importance of our mission to protect and restore public health and the environment for Maryland.
"We face a huge responsibility for the next several years to protect and restore Maryland’s environment and meet the goals set in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement by 2010,” said Secretary Wilson. "It will only come to fruition when all stakeholders, jurisdictions and environmental groups work together toward the same goal.”
A panel of judges chooses the Tawes and Coulter award winners. Click here for more information on the Tawes Award for a Clean Environment or the James B. Coulter Award or call (410) 269-1850.
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