About >> Environmental Service Awards

PATRICIA HUCKERY
Outstanding Public Service

Pat Huckery first came to public service at the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program in 1991. Following her Masters of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Massachusetts in 1992, she has served as Endangered Species Project Analyst. From the outset, Pat has been the person charged with the responsibility of evaluating all projects, submitted through the wetlands permitting process, which potentially could impact the habitats of endangered wetland species. In the face of occasionally massive political and commercial pressures, it has been Pat Huckery who has held the line in literally thousands of projects across Massachusetts. She has exhibited unparalleled strength and perseverance in carrying out her duties, and repeatedly has put herself “on the line” to ensure that the “no short or long-term adverse impact” performance standard is met.

As she goes about her work, Pat Huckery is often the last best hope for saving a dwindling population of critters. Her colleagues and independent professionals in the field tell us that she is personally responsible for the continued survival of hundreds of populations of turtles, frogs and salamanders, invertebrates, birds, and fur bearing creatures as well. Her diligence and tenacity have resulted in hundreds – perhaps, by now, thousands – of acres of land proposed for development being donated to land trusts or otherwise conserved.

With the recent severe cutbacks in Natural Heritage personnel, Pat Huckery has expanded her work load, taking on the review of potential impacts to state listed plant species and upland animals as well. Currently, Natural Heritage reviews about 1500 filings each year. Of these, several hundred require in-depth analysis, and it is Pat who carries the heaviest load in this ultimately important and sensitive task. Known by her superiors and colleagues as a stalwart guardian, a tireless worker, and a much respected and successful negotiator, Pat Huckery is a shining example of “the under-appreciated, doing the impossible, with next to no resources.” Pat Huckery deserves better. She most certainly deserves our gratitude and commendation. MACC joins in enthusiastic recognition of Patricia Huckery, as our 2004 Outstanding Public Servant.

MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY’S
ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT
Outstanding Environmental Advocacy

MassAudubon protects more than 30,000 acres of conservation land, conducts educational programs for 250,000 children and adults annually and through its Advocacy Department is responsible for supporting sound environmental policies at local, state and federal levels.

The Advocacy Department’s efforts have been highly successful. In the 1970s MassAudubon played a significant role in passing the modernized Wetlands Protection Act and accompanying regulations, especially the 1978 coastal regulations and the 1983 inland regulations that established Resource Areas, presumed values, and performance standards---a format that many of our local wetland bylaws and regulations now emulate.

During the 1980s and early 1990s MassAudubon advocated for protection of drinking water resources, protection of wildlife species and habitat, and open space planning and acquisition. In the late 1990s and to date, MassAudubon actively promoted the Rivers Protection Act, the Community Preservation Act, the Cape Cod Land Bank, water supply protection, and pro-active land use planning strategies including transfer of development rights, use of GIS state-wide, and reform of our land use and zoning laws.

The Advocacy Department continues to produce important public policy position papers as outreach tools to promote and to support environmental advocacy for key community and state issues. The Advocacy Department actively participates in legal and administrative defenses of many critical environmental issues including:

1) defense of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act;

2) protection of groundfish and fisheries via proper fisheries management;

3) protection of rivers from inappropriate development and use;

4) defense of the constitutionality of the Cape Cod Commission Act; and

5) defense of other project specific resources like Greylock Glen and Wachusett Mountain. Throughout its history, MassAudubon has been uniquely successful in blending key technical, outreach, policy and management staff. MassAudubon has served as a leading environmental activist organization and a supporting partner to environmental organizations and non-profits as well as local, regional, state and federal environmental agencies. We at MACC especially appreciate the MassAudubon’s Advocacy Department serving as our “first alert” and “best defense” for many of our common environmental and conservation causes. By this award MACC salutes the past, present and future personnel of the Advocacy Department, specifically to acknowledge the strong and special role they all play in the quality of life in Massachusetts:

• John J. Clarke, Director
• Heidi Ricci, Senior Environmental Policy Specialist
• Chris Hardy, Director of Legislative Affairs
• Sharon Wason, Southeast Regional Coordinator
• Maura Kelly, Assistant to the Director
• Allison Kern, Legislative Affairs Office Manager
• And, of course, Robie Hubley, Advocate “Emeritus.”

NANCY LIN
Outstanding Public Service

When Nancy Lin moved to Massachusetts from Staten Island in the early 1980s, she brought with her a love of nature, children, and education. She was hired as the Conservation Administrator for the Cambridge Conservation Commission, where she quickly exercised her creative talent with public education and worked diligently to administer the Wetlands Protection Act in the urban wilds of Cambridge. And Urban Wilds they are. Herons, raccoons, alewife, and turtles share the wetlands with cats, dogs, and people. Nancy quickly learned the passion that Cambridge residents have for their dwindling wetlands and floodplains. The tall reeds and silver maple provide a respite from the cars, bikes, wind, and noise.

As the Commission’s staff, Nancy wrote Orders of Conditions for highway projects, drainage improvements, and commercial development, including the Alewife Center development and the Central Artery North Area project. She also advocated for the Cambridge environment and contributed significantly to environmental education. On one occasion, one of Nancy’s commissioners asked her for advice on conducting an outdoor education workshop for children. Nancy had JUST the right thing. She gave her commissioner a tree. Now this was no ordinary tree. This was a tree she could wear. Nancy actually had sewn a tree with a crown of leaves, Velcro-on roots, and branches for hands. The kids loved it. The commissioner wore the tree and fondly remembers the day as one of the best of her life.

Nancy took her creativity to the Department of Environmental Protection, where she has assisted in the educational and training materials that most everyone in the state has utilized. She has helped with regulatory education, Rivers Act workshops, stormwater training, and best-selling publications. Nancy is an unsung hero at DEP. If you're a Conservation Commissioner and you've called or e-mailed the DEP's Wetlands and Waterways Program in Boston over the last 15 years, chances are that Nancy is the one who responded to your questions. Nancy has written, edited, or printed and circulated virtually every notable DEP wetland publication for many years, including many of the slideshows that we've seen. Her tireless assistance and coordination with MACC for our Annual Environmental Conference also is greatly appreciated. We can honestly say that the DEP’s wetlands protection efforts would not be what they are without Nancy’s “behind-the-scenes” work and obvious enthusiasm for her labor of love.

GEORGE HOLMES
Conservation Administrator of the Year

MACC is pleased to recognize thirty-two years of community service in the conservation field, twenty years of membership on the local Conservation Commission, and four years of work as Conservation Administrator. Remarkably, all of this done by the same individual. We name, as our 2004 Conservation Administrator of the Year, George Holmes of the Town of Bellingham.

In his role as Administrator, it is fair to say that George is a "conservation conscience" for Bellingham; he serves the community as its professional in public hearings and wetlands permitting, as a skilled negotiator with private applicants and public agencies, and is an embodiment of the ideals and goals which MACC espouses.

George has helped to purchase and protect many key parcels throughout town (including the 100-acre Jenkes Reservoir property and the 50 acre High Street property); secure an annual appropriation from Town Meeting for land acquisition (which very few Commissions get); regulate the many complex projects that come before the Commission (and steer them away from sensitive resources); pursue aggressive but consistent enforcement of the Wetlands Protection Act, volunteer his planning expertise on important Town projects, and even negotiate gift annuities paid by developers to fund continued proper annual maintenance of storm water facilities in their developments.

George took it upon himself to interface directly with the Town's Inspectional Services Department. By reviewing and signing off on all requisite permits, he alerts future permit applicants to the Commission's wetlands, buffer zone and floodplain jurisdiction, and heads off ignorance and hard feelings and proactively reduces the Commission's enforcement caseload.  Also, George has worked closely with other Town officials to shape and structure public projects, from start to finish. The Bellingham Department of Public Works has gone out of its way to compliment George on his guidance and his "knowledgeable assistance in the heat of the action once contractors are working and dirt flying."  For all these reasons and more, as offered in the many testimonials that we received for him, MACC is happy to announce George Holmes as its 2004 Conservation Administrator of the Year.

SENATOR PAM RESOR
Outstanding Public Service

Senator Pam Resor began her career in politics in response to the pollution of the Town of Acton’s water supply. The environmental crisis prompted her to run for selectman in the town, where she then served two terms from 1981-1987. Because of her concern for managed growth and environmental protection at the local level, Pam served on both the Acton Conservation Commission and the Acton Planning Council.

Pam has a lifelong love of the natural world, and a career that has focused on environmental protection. She is an amateur botanist, and leads wildflower walks. We're not sure, but Pam is probably the only state legislator that collects antique guides to native flora.

From 1986-1988, Pam served as the Executive Director of MACC where she brought new professionalism to MACC education and advocacy. We are proud to return the favor now by presenting Pam with our highest recognition, the MACC award for Outstanding Public Service.

As a member of the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture throughout her years in the Legislature, Pam has participated in the restructuring of the hazardous waste law, redevelopment of urban waste sites, passage of the Rivers Protection Act of , and the Community Preservation Act of 2000. She has demonstrated a continued interest in developing a world-class state park system and protecting local conservation land under Article 97 of the state Constitution.

Working with MACC, last year Pam was instrumental in introducing and gaining approval for an extremely important revision to state law that granted Conservation Commissions the authority to require applicants to cover the cost of consultant fees.

Pam is currently the Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ethics, and a member of the Committee on Education and of the Committee on Energy. She has the respect of her colleagues for her expertise in all aspects of the environment, energy, and efficient administration of state government.

It is obvious why Senator Pam Resor is the recognized environmental leader in the Legislature. We are proud to call her a friend of MACC. We are positive she can rely on MACC for our unqualified support of her solid, substantial, courageous, and continuing fine work. She is indeed an outstanding servant of the public.