About >> Environmental Service Awards

2011 AWARDS:


Stewart Kennedy: Conservation Commissioner of the Year

Stewart Kennedy has served on both the Lexington Conservation Commission and Lexington Conservation Stewards since 2003 and is renowned for his role as liaison between these two organizations—helping to keep the Commission up to date on stewardship efforts throughout town and facilitating interactions between different groups. Stewart has amassed an extensive list of achievements as an environmental steward: he has coordinated several volunteer projects, ranging from invasive species removal to storm drain marking. He also conducts public outreach to local organizations, advocates for bike-friendly amenities in town, raises funds for environmental stewardship and participates in resource monitoring projects. Stewart was a key leader in launching a new Watershed Stewardship Program--working closely with the town DPW engineers. Stewart completed both the MACC Fundamentals and Advanced Certificate Training programs.




Patricia Loring: Outstanding Achievement in Community Conservation

Pat Loring is no stranger to the work of community conservation; she’s done it all from being a long-serving Conservation Commissioner to spearheading land acquisition projects. Pat served as a MACC Director, assisting MACC early on with developing MACC’s first training program for Commissioners. Pat is highly committed to land acquisition and preservation efforts —leading land acquisition campaigns, negotiating and finalizing easements and conservation restrictions (19 total), taking a leadership role producing two Open Space and Recreation Plans, maintaining trails and coordinating other projects. Pat’s knowledge of land acquisition has allowed the Town of Duxbury to acquire significant and strategic parcels, including her extraordinary efforts to protect the historic O’Neil Dairy Farm. She has served both as Chair and member of the Duxbury Open Space and Recreation Committee since 1996. Pat was instrumental in passing the Community Preservation Act in Duxbury and also serves on the Community Preservation Committee.

Edward Clancy: Long Time Service

Ed Clancy has served the City of Marlborough for over 43 years. His tenure on the Marlboro Conservation Commission began in 1968, and he has served as the Chair of the Commission since 1993. Ed’s public service also includes working as a biology teacher and a City Councilman. Ed has reviewed more than 1,500 wetland permits and has participated in several appeals of Order of Conditions. In all, the Conservation Commission estimates that he has dedicated over 5,160 hours of volunteer time tending to Commission’s work and its meetings. Other noteworthy achievements include: successfully advocating for the Water Supply Protection District Ordinance and the Stormwater Ordinance as a City Counselor, and serving as a working member of two Open Space and Recreation Plan Committees.

DEP Circuit Rider Program: Outstanding Public Service Christine Odiaga, Pamela Merrill, Alice Smith, Mark Stinson.

Since the Circuit Rider Program's inception in 1996, MassDEP's Wetland Circuit Riders have served the Conservation Commissions and citizens of Massachusetts to strengthen their ability to better protect wetlands. The Circuit Riders are known for their dedication, enthusiasm and effectiveness in providing service and assistance to Conservation Commissions. Despite economic downturns and the recent loss of three regional Circuit Riders in the past two years, the remaining staff has continued to work hard to provide Commissions and others with the essential help they need. This past year they have offered 50 training sessions on wetland topics; attended 100 conservation commission meetings, and they have responded to over 9,000 e-mail requests for information--all of which improve the quality of permit submissions and regulation clarification.