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Today, global economic fragility, social alienation and environmental breakdown seem to point to a time of crisis for all humanity.

‒ A. Keith Smiley, who inspired us "to perceive problems as opportunities." (1980)

Environmental Distinguished Awards

Every community has unsung heroes who work quietly to enhance the quality of our environment. The activities of these creative, dedicated people take many forms.For nearly three decades,

Mohonk Consultations recognizes the efforts of awardees who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and achievement in preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment and people of the Hudson Valley. These are members of an organization or individuals who take René Dubos’ words to heart, “Think Globally, Act Locally.”

Examples of their work include protecting water resources, agricultural lands and open spaces; launching recycling programs; creating rail trails; promoting outdoor education/nature programs; environmental management, planning and preservation; Community Supported Agriculture projects (CSAs); pioneering and promoting green technologies; conservation and management of natural resources; and public advocacy on behalf of social, historical and environmental causes.

The annual Environmental Distinguished Award ceremony is held in the Mohonk Mountain House parlor during the second week of June. The ceremony not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of the awardee(s), it also celebrates what is possible when a dedicated, committed force is willing to devote the time, energy and passion to  protect our environment and communities.

Awardees

1984

  • Highland School Tree Project
  • Philipstown Community Council, Inc. (Putnam Co.) – supporting youth through local and global environmental proje

1985

  • Dr. Paul F. Brandwein, Founder, Brandwein Nature Preserve & Bird Sanctuary, Orange Co.
  • Kenneth E. Hasbrouck, President, Huguenot Historical Society, New Paltz, NY
  • Thomas Richardson, Editor and Publisher, Hudson Valley Green Times, Red Hook, NY
  • Nancy & Robert Stover, Poughkeepsie, NY

1987

  • Scenic Hudson – Scenic Easement Acquisition Program, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Charles Keene, Director, Museum of the Hudson Highlands, Cornwall on Hudson, NY
  • Trust for Public Lands – Greymoor Farms Preservation

1989

  • Ann Botshon, environmental leader – Orange Co. Wallkill River Task Force, Pine Bush, NY
  • Shirley Kobran, environmental activist – League of Women Voters, Kingston, NY
  • Warren McKeon, civic environmental leader – New Paltz, NY

1992

  • Frances F. Dunwell, environmentalist and author, Hudson River Highlands
  • Hudson Valley Greenway – educating & empowering communities to conserve green resources, NYS
  • Cindy Lancetta, Junior Recycler Program, Marlborough, NY
  • Kingston Rotary Club, Kingston Point Park Commission, Kingston, NY
  • Holly L. Thomas, Dutchess Co. Planning Department, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Damia Vietor, Coordinator of Volunteers, Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner, NY
  • Wallkill/Shawangunk Correctional Facility, Recycling Program, Wallkill, NY

1993

  • Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cairo, NY
  • Dan Guenther, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and co-founder Phillies Bridge Farm Project, New Paltz, NY
  • Fred Isseks and Middletown High School – environmental education through Electronic English & Journalism Class, Middletown, NY
  • New Castle League of Women Voters, Committee on the Environment Waste Reduction, Chappaqua, NY
  • Dorna Schroeter, Outdoor Education Program, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, Yorktown Heights, NY
  • Miriam Straus & Amy O’Connor – environmental education leaders
  • Westchester Land Trust, Mianus River Watershed Project, Bedford Hills, NY

1994

  • Steven Stanne, Education Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater – environmental education pioneer, Poughkeepsie, NY

1995

  • Erik Kiviat, Hudsonia, Ltd. – environmental planning and management through scientific analysis and education, Annandale, NY

1996

  • David Miller, Superintendent, Eastern Correctional Facility – environmental education and conservation of the natural and human environment, Napanoch, NY

1997

  • Jim & Mary Ottaway – citizen participation in local and global environmental projects

1998

  • Karl Beard, Mohonk Preserve and National Parks administration – conservation and management of the natural environment, Gardiner/Red Hook, NY

1999

  • Helen L. Vukasin, Mohonk Consultations Board, Phillies Bridge Farm Project – citizen participation and education, overseas environmental justice and sustainability, New Paltz, NY

2000

  • Manna Jo Greene, recycling pioneer, coordinator and educator – education and conservation of the natural environment; sustainable communities, and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Poughkeepsie, NY

2001

  • Eight Community Supported Agriculture Farms – management, conservation and renewal of the environment in Ulster and Dutchess Counties:
  • Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Sisters Hill Farm, Stanfordville, NY
  • Stillpoint Community Farm, Amenia, NY
  • Four Winds Farm, Gardiner, NY
  • Huguenot Street Farm, New Paltz, NY
  • Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Inc., New Paltz, NY
  • Taliaferrro Farms, Clintondale, NY
  • And Sow On Farm, High Falls, NY

2002

  • Al Valk, Supervisor, Town of Montgomery – environmental planning and preservation in his community, Montgomery, NY

2003

  • Martha Cheo, Education Director, Hudson River Watch and Phillies Bridge Farm Project – education, communication and citizen participation, New Paltz, NY

2004

  • Ilka List, Artist & Environmental Educator – education and communication, teaching, writing, counseling adults, teachers and children through art and nature, Gardiner, NY

2005

  • Mohonk Consultations 25th Anniversary Celebration

2006

  • John Jankiewicz, Water and Sewer Administrator, Town of Lloyd – education and communication: pioneering work in constructed wetlands; promoting environmental education; and advancing green technology, Highland, NY

2007

  • Les Hulcoop, Cornell Cooperative Extension – education and communication, support of regional food and farms, innovative community projects, green technologies. Millbrook, NY

2008

  • Bob Larsen, Mohonk Preserve – ranger, trailblazer, cultural historian, and land preservationist. Marbletown, NY.

2009

  • Laurence M. Hauptman, Distinguished History Professor at SUNY New Paltz, well-known author of numerous scholarly books on the Seneca tribes, American history and indigenous rights. New Paltz, NY.

2010

  • Michael Berg, founder and leader of Family of Woodstock, Inc, the largest private, not-for-profit, social service agency in the Hudson Valley. Woodstock, NY.

2011

  • Laura Heady, Biodiversity Outreach Coordinator for the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with Cornell University. She works to ensure clean water, protect fish, wildlife and their habitats, provide recreation and water access, minimize climate change, and protect our world-class scenery. A wide-ranging influence from the Troy dam to the New York City harbor.  See this New Paltz Times article for more information.