Augusta, Maine - The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has awarded its 2012 NRCM Environmental Awards to four outstanding Maine residents. The awards, which were presented September 27 at NRCM’s annual meeting, are given each year to people and groups who have made a real difference at the local, regional, or state level protecting the health and beauty of Maine’s environment· Sam Day of Hallowell, a sophomore at Hall-Dale High School, for his exceptional efforts to raise awareness about issues threatening Maine’s watersheds and native fisheries, and for his effective lobbying and testimony at the Legislature to protect Maine’s wetlands and waterfowl.
- Representative Robert Duchesne of Hudson, for his tireless and skilled leadership across a broad range of legislative issues, bringing passion and humor to the job of defending Maine’s environment through the passage and defense of strong laws.
- Mark Stadler of Camden, for his decades of service protecting Maine wildlife as leader of the Wildlife Division at Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and for his invaluable efforts in the Legislature and before the Board of Environmental Protection that helped defeat extreme rollbacks of strong protections for Maine’s inland wading bird and waterfowl habitat.
- Bob Iles of Bethel, winner of the People’s Choice Award of Bethel, for exceptional efforts preserving the summit of and maintaining trails on Whitecap Mountain in Rumford, and for continued work to obtain public access to area lands and waterways as a member of the board of the Mahoosuc Land Trust.
“These four individuals deeply understand, appreciate and honor the beauty and importance of Maine’s environment,” says NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann. “Maine is fortunate that citizens like Sam, Robert, Mark, and Bob understand what’s at stake and put their concern and caring into action. Thanks to them, future generations of Mainers, and visitors who love Maine, will experience healthy natural places and wildlife we enjoy today.”This past legislative session, many bills were introduced that would have harmed Maine’s environment, had they passed. They include one that threatened critical inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat, and the so-called “takings” bill that would have required Maine taxpayers to pay landowners to obey environmental laws, or the landowners could flout the laws.
Among many Maine citizens who stood up to polluters, corporate lobbyists, and other out-of-state interests pushing for “anything goes” policies when it comes to Maine’s environment, the four Environmental Award winners were stand-outs. Day, Duchesne, and Stadler worked closely with NRCM staff members on issues threatening Maine’s environment statewide.
Iles was nominated for the organization’s People’s Choice Award, which provides citizens with the opportunity to nominate a person or group of their choice, and vote online for their favorite candidate. Finalists for the 2012 award included Eric Hopkins of York, nominated for his work promoting energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy in local schools, government and throughout York County; and Pam Wells of Old Town, for her volunteer work with the Maine Youth Fish and Game Association, teaching youth about Maine wildlife and for generously allowing visitors on her 1,100 acres of land to also teach them about Maine’s. This year, NRCM received a record-number of votes, and the competition was closer than ever, with Bob Iles receiving the most votes in the end.
Read the full citations, presented to each award winner at www.nrcm.org.Bob Iles of BethelMark Stadler of CamdenRepresentative Robert Duchesne of HudsonSam Day of Hallowell
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