1999 Environmental Stewardship Awards
1999 Awards (presented January 2000)
Sally Gibson Award (Individual): John Pegors. John Pegors has been involved with the Remedial Action Plan from the start, and is currently active with the Contaminated Sediment Workgroup. John worked for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for many years. His knowledge of pollution problems in our area is combined with a passionate concern about environmental protection. -- John has really "made a difference" in our watershed.
Milton E. Pelletier Award (Organization/Club): Park Point Community Club. The Park Point Community Club (PPPC) has recently completed a project that involved shoreline mapping, plant and bird inventories, and other activities. The group developed a Web page, and a resource guide for conservation programs to deal with issues related to the use of natural resources on Minnesota Point. A major concern of this project is restoration of the Point's sand dunes. The group has put a huge amount of work into the planting native beach grasses and trees, posting restricted and sensitive areas, and public education. -- The "Point" is a treasure, and we are glad to see it in such good hands.
Randy Marshall Award (Business/Industry): Joe Ogston (OgstonÕs Body and Paint). Joe Ogston is the owner of Ogston's Paint and Body shop. Joe remodeled his business several years ago and reduced the amounts of hazardous wastes (paints and solvents). He looks for more ways to minimize waste at his facility, and lets local technical schools to tour his shop. After such a tour, one student wrote: "After going over my notes and writing my journal, I realized that Joe should be considered a hero of sorts... when Joe became environmentally involved with hazardous waste and human health risks, he did it to save money, but he also saved the ecosystem of our area. By working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency they formed a relationship that benefited them both and the environment." -- We also applaud Joe's modesty. In accepting the award, he said: "I don't know what to say, except that this is what businesses should do."
School/Institution: Lincoln Park School. Duluth's Lincoln Park Elementary School has been involved with a number of projects designed to enhance awareness of environmental resources, especially those in their own back yard. Their projects have involved teachers, students and the community in enhancing nearby Lincoln Park (tree planting, bird nest boxes, wildlife gardens, nature trail), studying and monitoring Miller Creek, which runs through the park, and developing interdisciplinary academic projects involving art, civics, science and other studies, especially the spectacular, school-wide, hallway murals that depict a wide range of images featuring the natural history of our area. -- In a follow-up thank you note, teacher Terry Norton said: "The hundreds of students who have put in thousands of hours of work will appreciate the recognition.... I am so proud of the work the students have done, and honored that others enjoy it."
Government/Agency: Minnesota Air National Guard, 148th Fighter Wing. Up to 15 volunteers from the 148th Fighter Wing have volunteered their time since 1997 to plant and maintain hundreds of native evergreen trees like white cedar and white pine along Miller Creek. This effort was done in cooperation with the Miller Creek Task Force, the CAC and other volunteers, who have been working for years to shade the stream banks and keep the water cool. A great deal of effort involved using weed whackers to trim tall grasses and weeds from around these trees -- instead of using herbicides -- to ensure better growth. Miller Creek runs through a major retail mall area. Although it has been degraded by extensive construction and the runoff from huge parking lots, brook trout are still able to reproduce there. Tree planting along this designated trout stream will improve conditions by restoring shade and stabilizing the stream banks. -- The efforts of the 148th Fighter Wing also serve as a landmark for community stewardship. Media: Joan Farnam (Budgeteer News). Joan Farnam works for the Budgeteer News. She has provided coverage of local and regional environmental issues and events. Her articles have highlighted a number of efforts pertinent to the St. Louis River, including reports on mercury in the environment, mercury reduction efforts, Super fund sites, the efforts of the late Rep. Willard Munger and more. Joan has participated actively on several canoe tours of the St. Louis River estuary. She has shown a willingness to go beyond her professional duties in her efforts to encourage environmental stewardship and an appreciation for our natural resources. -- We acknowledge Joan's commitment and effort.
Special Recognition: Mike Payton. Mike Payton worked for the Superior Telegram, where he used his reporting and editorial powers to protect the St. Louis River, and particularly the Superior Municipal Forest. He spoke out "loud and clear" against use the Municipal Forest as a site for residential development or for the disposal of materials dredged from the river. Mike was an uncompromising crusader for what he believed was the best for Superior and Wisconsin. He was not afraid to take a stand as an editor, in spite of possible fallout or repercussions from local business and government. -- This posthumous award was accepted by Mike's sons, Brandon and Patrick.
1999 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS Nominees: East High School Student Forum, Joan Farnam, Federal Prison Camp, Lake Superior Greens, Lincoln Park School, Minnesota Air National Guard, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, John Myers, Northland Reader / Robert Boone & Richard Thomas, Joe Ogston, Park Point Community Club, Mike Payton, John Pegors, Richard W. Scott
1999 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS Nominators: Bill Andersen, Len Anderson, Howard McCormick, Mark Nelson, Terry Norton, Kinnan Stauber, Diane Thompson, Deanne Roquet, Major Steven Wabrowetz, Roseanne Scott, Friends of the Superior Municipal Forest