Environmental Excellence Award Winners Shared

The Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is excited to announce the 2024 Environmental Excellence Award Winners. The Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2) recognizes leaders in environmental protection. Annual awards are given for notable efforts in areas of water quality protection, waste reduction and recycling, and pollution prevention. These award winners have gone above and beyond in their commitment in doing what is best for the environment. Water Quality Protection Award

Wild Ones Ann Arbor for their work in protecting the health of our rivers by encouraging people to plant native plants. In partnership with Seeds to Community, people can grow their own native plants through a series of workshops. Wild Ones also spearheaded a project to build a pocket forest in Buhr Park. Loris Damerow (left) and Marta Manildi (right) accepted award on behalf of the organization. Waste Reduction and Recycling Award

University Commons for adopting many practices to reduce waste. Their Sustainability Committee teaches residents about how to recycle and compost. They started a composting program, becoming the first multi-family community in Ann Arbor to have curbside compost collection. They have a recycling station for hard-to-recycle materials. Items like foam, plastic bags, and shredded paper, are taken to a local drop-off by a volunteer. They have plans to replace their outdoor lighting to LED bulbs, which would reduce energy consumption by 80%. University Commons staff and residents pictured. Rain Garden Leadership Awards Angie Wolney & Nick Mosher for their leadership in building a rain garden at Wines Elementary School, with the 5th grade student council. Sarah Frantom for her leadership in building four rain gardens at Tappan Middle School, including securing a Washtenaw County Conservation District Habitat Grant to buy plants. She also built a beautiful rain garden in her own yard that had the first ever library Summer Games code for a rain garden. Lynn Olson & Janet Bourgon for their 5 years of stewardship work in the Olson Park rain garden. Through their dedication and regular visits, the rain garden has been dramatically improved. Master Composter Leadership AwardsChristopher Hallett for revamping Growing Hope’s compost operation that now includes food scraps from participating local businesses and the public through a 5-gallon bucket exchange program at the Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market.Takunia “TC” Collins for overseeing public access and workshops at Apple Ridge Community Garden and Clay Hill Community Farm and Garden. Collins has reached over 102,500 students in four school districts, three daycare centers, and public events.Mary Fowler for rejuvenating Arbor Hospice’s garden and compost center, where she educated volunteers how to compost. Become an E2P2 partner or view more photos of the awards ceremony at Washtenaw.org/e2p2. Participants receive free technical assistance, community recognition, and more.