Image courtesy of Lower Gwynedd EAC
Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 20 for the recognition
Let’s face it. We could all do our part to make the environment better. Some do a little, while some do nothing at all, and others still do everything in their power to improve their own carbon footprint. But where does one begin? How can you, a single person, really make a difference?
Thankfully, the Lower Gwynedd Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is here to help. Designed to educate, facilitate, and promote sustainable practices in the township and surrounding communities, the EAC provides tips, resources, and programs to encourage all residents to do their part. To that end, the council has created the Lower Gwynedd Going Green Award.
UPDATE SEPT. 6: The award's nominations have bene extended to Friday, Sept. 20. The EAC wanted to give area businesses, residents, and school students time to review the opportunity, now that fall schedule are back in full swing.
The award, which is currently accepting nominees, is aimed at recognizing sustainability initiatives that improve or protect the environment and our community’s natural resources. It will also raise awareness about these important topics and illustrate how those wondering can perhaps do a bit more.
“We are living in a time where our society has become more conscientious about the environment and the community we live in,” said Sandi L. Feight-Hicks, CPRP, CYSA, the recreational director of Lower Gwynedd Township. “More and more people are aware of planting native's plants, using rain barrels, and installing rain gardens, adding pollinator gardens to their properties.”
As society’s knowledge and awareness grows, so too do the questions local residents have, curious to know what more they can do on their own properties or within their own local businesses to keep improving efforts.
“They want to know how to recycle more responsibly, where to recycle and we are looking at how our daily actions affect the environment,” said Feight-Hicks. “Everyone's contribution to helping the environment does help, when we work together, we can make a difference.”
With that goal in mind, the EAC opted to launch this second season of a Going Green Award.
“The EAC saw the Going Green Award as an opportunity for residents, businesses, schools, and really any entity located in the Township to showcase what they have done and the impact it is having,” said Feight-Hicks. “Last year was the first year for the award we received so many great nominations.”
For last year’s “top performers” within the township, the EAC selected a trio of winners.
“The EAC was able to pick three winners,” said Feight-Hicks. First up was Mary Pellegrino, the Youth Award Winner with her Circular Sustainability Project at home.
“This young lady hit it out of the ballpark,” said Feight-Hicks. “She composts at home, and her family has bee hives, and she has native pollinator gardens.”
In addition, Pellegrino is also active at her school with the environmental club.
Harth Builders, and its new headquarters on Bethlehem Pike, was what Feight-Hicks called “a great example of what a builder can do with a business.” With a focus on environmentally friendly features such as HVAC systems, solar panels, and electric charging stations, the builders have come a long way at reducing carbon footprints, all while building ecofriendly homes that are economical, too!
“Harth also provides clients with information when they are looking to remodel to be more environmentally aware,” added Feight-Hicks.
The “Inaugural Winner” overall for the EAC’s first year of honors was Gwynedd Friends School and Gwynedd Friends Monthly.
“They have a comprehensive land use plan, that allows the Gwynedd Friends community to come in and work with Paige Menton, with Journeywork, to better their land and have a great impact on the environment, land, water, air, and wildlife,” said Feight-Hicks.
The recreational director said that the EAC’s work is to both recognize and show others how they can make a real difference.
“Taking the time to recognize a person or group for being an advocate for the environment is so important,” she said. “But it also gives the Township an avenue to show that residents or businesses are working on their properties to make a difference.”
"Thank you for Doing Something Right," which has become the group’s motto of sorts is also a solid summary of the Going Green Award’s overall goals.
“We hope that this [award] inspires someone when they are thinking about what to plant, where to plant, or making a renovation to their home or business to consider putting in a rain garden, to adding a pollinator garden, installing lights on timers, adding smart thermostats, consider adding solar panels,” said Feight-Hicks.
The EAC is collecting nominations and will continue to do so through Friday, Sept. 20. Once the nomination period closes, there will be interviews scheduled and conducted by EAC members of the potential winners.
“The discussion on the awards is the toughest part,” said Feight-Hicks. “We get so many great projects. Once the winners are selected, they are invited to a Board of Supervisors Meeting, where they are recognized for their work in helping the environment and the community.”
For those seeking for tips on how to improve their own property, business or organization’s actions or land, the EAC strives, year-round, to provide helpful tips and discussions on a wide variety of topics to assist residents.
“The Environmental Advisory Council, in the last year, has made some changes to the Township Website under the EAC section to focus on Greening Your Home, Greening Your Property, and entire page dedicated to Incentives and Resources. We have more information we will be loading up to the website soon.”
Feight-Hicks said that these online sources (linked above) can go a long way to adding to the community’s overall environmental know-how.
“We felt these three pages were a place for residents to gain some knowledge on what they can do in and around their homes,” she said. “There are more events that the EAC does throughout the year, battery and techno trash recycling for residents, annual tree giveaway (registration for residents begins Sept. 3!).”
The EAC not only hosts events, spreads knowledge, and supports township initiatives to make the world a greener place, but the council also hopes to be a resource itself.
“The EAC is doing a tremendous job trying to educate the community and being a resource for residents when they have questions,” said Feight-Hicks.
For more information on the EAC in Lower Gwynedd Township, email contactus@lowergwynedd.org. Nominations for the Going Green Award will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 20. Nominees must be residents, groups, businesses, or organizations, educational institutions, or non-profits/entities residing or located in Lower Gwynedd Township. Members of the EAC and employees of the township are not eligible to participate.
Nomination forms can be filed here. Nominees must be able to participate in a 30-minute interview by the EAC to be eligible for the Going Green Award. A nominee or representative is also required to attend the award presentation at the January meeting of the township’s Board of Supervisors. Winners will receive their name place on the township building’s plaque, as well as recognition in the e-Newsletter, paper Newsletter, and LG Township website and Facebook page.
For more information or to submit your nominee, visit https://www.lowergwynedd.org/government/environmental-advisory-council/going-green-award/.
