ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Initiated in 1975, this award is granted to persons who are recognized by the SCCC as having worked very hard for the environmental community - especially over the last year.

Connie Mahoney, PhD., Founder, Earth Elders of Sonoma County, www.earthelders.org. Nominator: Nina Tepedino

For the last 10 years, Connie Mahoney, founder of Earth Elders, has led and spearheaded the annual Earth Elders Earth Day celebration here in Sonoma County - as their gift to the community. Last year's observance featured an outstanding earth walk, highlighting the history of planet Earth, the challenge of global warming and man's choice to sustain Earth.  In  2000, the Earth Elders' Earth Day Celebration recognized 20 Sonoma County Elder Earthkeepers (persons over 65) of the 20th Century and in 2001, the event honored 25 persons 50 - 65 as Elder Earthkeepers The Next Generation. The 2008 Earth Day theme is: Sustaining Sacred Earth. The City of Sebastopol is a co-sponsor of the event as are many community-based organizations. She also initiated the Earth Elders bi-monthly book group that honors the writings and work of Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Johanna Macy and others. Her commitment to environmental issues and projects has been unending and filled with passionate devotion.

Daisy Pistey-Lyhne, Sonoma-Marin Field Representative, Greenbelt Alliance, www.greenbelt.org/regions/sonomamarin. Nominator: J. David Erickson

Outstanding contribution and energy on Sonoma County General Plan update. Demonstrated amazing leadership on bringing together parties, forging consensus, and working with political process. Organized coalition of ~20 organizations behind a platform addressing climate, water, and open space and farmland protections for the General Plan update. Worked with staff and Board of Supervisors to ensure that adequate environmental policies are present in General Plan.

Organized Cloverdale community and Council members around urban growth boundary. Has worked with local residents to ensure that the UGB is adopted, and is a tight line that will protect farmlands and promote walkable, vibrant community for Cloverdale. Organized educational events to promote understanding in the community. Worked to build media awareness of the issue. Getting final adoption by Council will continue in 2008. 

Played strategic lead in work on Downtown Santa Rosa Station Area Plan. Worked to bring in regional financial and planning resources to support work of local organizations to address this important planning process. Worked with Conservation Action and Accountable Development Coalition to organize hundreds of Santa Rosa residents to support green building, affordable housing, bicycle and pedestrian design and amenities, and adequate park space in the Plan to revitalize Santa Rosa’s downtown and Railroad Square area. Took part in Mayor’s subcommittee to bring forth mandatory city-wide green building ordinance for Santa Rosa, following on heels of this campaign. 

Worked successfully to stop attempts to expand urban growth boundaries for development of farmlands, in both Petaluma and Sonoma. Worked to find city-centered location for Sonoma Valley Hospital as alternate to developer proposal.

David Keller, Bay Area Director, Friends of the Eel River, Founder Petaluma River Council, Sonoma County Conservation Action and the Sonoma County Water Coalition. Nominators: A) Dennis Rosatti and  B) and Tiffany Renée (moved from another category).

A) David is a tireless advocate for the environment. He has served on the SCCA Board for at least 8 years and was the Chair for the better part of 2006/2007. He has been working on a Community Impact Report for Petaluma and the Petaluma General Plan, and co-chaired the Central Petaluma Specific Plan Committee, which was responsible for the Smart Code redevelopment of the downtown core.  

Active in the Sonoma County General Plan process, he has also been bird dogging the North San Pablo Bay Water Reuse Project in Congress - he's brought together an extensive group of community stakeholders to ensure local input into this hugely important process. Earlier, he worked on coastal beach protection and served on the Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee. David has been a mentor to me personally, and is always available to talk water issues and politics in general. He has been helpful in the West County Wastewater Pipeline fight as an advisor. Not to mention the hundreds of other issues he's worked on over the years.

B) David Keller is a huge asset to Petaluma for his extensive knowledge of environmental policy and protection. His guidance on issues facing Petaluma and the region are priceless. His ability to see two steps ahead of the development progression and take decisive action is helping to secure valuable time in our efforts to preserve and protect Petaluma's ecology and watershed.

David Yearsley, Founder, Friends of the Petaluma River, www.friendsofthepetalumariver.org. Nominator: Tiffany Renée (moved from another category)

David Yearsley deserves recognition for his dedication to educating our local and regional officials and community on the danger of the Redwood Landfill Expansion. He has taken many high level officials on special boat tours to the landfill to show them the proximity to the Petaluma River, the levee breaks and the toxic sludge. In the process many people have been introduced to the Petaluma River experience. His exposure has had a positive impact on bringing awareness to the River watershed, making it a destination for celebration and conservation. We even had a mayor's boat ride, which had over 80 small, non-motorized watercraft participants with hundreds of people on the river together. The care and time he puts into this important work is a gift worthy of recognition. 

Guy Conner, All around environmental activist and strategist, many organizations: Co-Founder, Concerned Citizens for Santa Rosa and Coalition for a Better Sonoma County, Sonoma County Conservation Action board member and former board member of Farmlands Group, Garbage Reincarnation and Social Advocates for Youth. Nominator: Marty Roberts

Guy has devoted his life to environmental activism and support. He is a founder of Concerned Citizens for Santa Rosa, served on the board of the Farmlands Group, longtime board member of Conservation Action, past board member of Garbage Reincarnation, currently working with Coalition for a Better Sonoma County; donates lots of his time to helping environmental candidates get elected locally; lives a very environmental lifestyle - drives a hybrid, solar on his roof, extreme recycler, etc. I'm sure there is more I am thinking of right now.

Jenna Brager, Know Your Neighbor Coordinator, Sonoma County Conservation Action. Nominator: Kimberly Kunkel

Jenna has brought a fun new important avenue for many of us to get involved. Those of us who've been reluctant to be involved, due to life's challenges, are finding a way to get connected through the Know Your Neighbor project. Jenna has a special talent for being tightly organized and at the same time warm, loving and easy going. Her presentation style attracts people back into activism. Her localization of the process will make it very viable. Jenna also worked long and hard on the GE Free Sonoma County Campaign, and is an active beekeeper. What she brings to the Environmental movement is extremely valuable. Her combination of serious work and playful approaches is highly sustainable and contagious! 

Susan Kirks, Board Member, Paula Lane Action Network. Nominator: Tiffany Renée

Susan has persevered to preserve open space and help protect a wildlife corridor in one of the South County's oldest rural areas. The Paula Lane land and corridor are located in an urban-to-rural transition area just at the Urban Growth Boundary, within Petaluma's sphere of influence. The Paula Lane Action Network, a grassroots organization receiving 501(c) 3 status in 2004, contributed many comments and pages to revisions for the Sonoma County General Plan and the Petaluma General Plan regarding wildlife in the grasslands and on hillsides surrounding Paula Lane, as well as contribution of the area to county groundwater recharge and distinct rural community character.  Multiple wildlife species have been identified in a 7-year documentation effort, including over 100 avian species of birds and 12 with special status.  Three wetlands plant species are present in a swale on the Paula Lane land where seasonal winter wetlands draw migratory avian visitors. 

The project, planned for resubmission to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District in 2008, includes partnerships with Petaluma High School’s Agriculture Dept for organic agriculture and Industrial Arts Dept for woodwork and metal work such as benches and signage, Petaluma Bounty for the organic community service garden, environmental studies internships for Sonoma State students, Petaluma Junior High School for 7th grade science and environmental hands-on studies and Rebuilding Together Petaluma for providing repairs for the 2 caretakers residences. The planned preserve will also feature a public access trail and view areas with ADA-emphasis and native gardens.

Susan also participated in the volunteer effort to create the new Tolay Lake Regional Park and serves as a Shollenberger Park docent. She was recently appointed the 2nd District representative to Sonoma Co. Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Citizens Advisory Committee.  Susan credits the Paula Lane Action Network's endurance and strengthening grass roots to strong motivation of P.L.A.N. volunteers and much appreciated assistance from west and north county conservationists such as Bodega Land Trust and Joan Vilms. Susan is a truly remarkable human being and her spirit is contagious.

Veronica Jacobi, Santa Rosa City Council Member, Sierra Club: Sonoma Group Executive Committee, Climate and Energy Committee, Chair of the Environmental Forum, Vice-chair of Sonoma County Conservation Council, Co-founder of the Sonoma County Water Coalition, Solar Sonoma County Steering Committee, member of the Madrone Audubon Society, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County and more. On the following City of Santa Rosa committees: Environmental, Waterways, Board of Public Utilities Liaison and Water Advisory alternate. Nominators: Debra Birkinshaw, Board member, Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, and Marsha Vas Dupre, SRJC Board of Trustees

During the past year, Veronica regularly reminded the Santa Rosa City Council about our Greenhouse Gas Reduction targets, pushed for carbon neutral building guidelines and helped convince the Santa Rosa City Council to pass mandatory green building codes. A very concerned public servant and environmentalist, she studies climate change, greenhouse gas emissions reduction tools and optimally effective advocacy. Her major areas of focus are safe, healthy and sustainable communities, climate protection, environmentally responsible development and bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

During the same period of time, she produced a variety Sierra Club Environmental Forums including climate protection, transportation and car-sharing, local food choices, etc, organized the Santa Rosa Live Earth event, helped organize, recruit sponsors and promote Step-It-Up and its Youth Art Contest, and participated in a Peace and Justice Center forum on how to work with local community leaders. 

In her personal life, Veronica is a visible role model for the community, committed to traveling via public transportation and bicycle and reducing her family's household gas, electricity usage and waste generation to minimum quantities.

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM/PROJECT
Initiated in 2006, this award is granted to programs and projects that are recognized by the SCCC as having used special innovation and insight to teach students - young and old, about the environment.

Cool Schools Program, Climate Protection Campaign, Maitreyi Siruguri, Cool Schools Coordinator, www.climateprotectioncampaign.org. Nominator: Nabeel Al-Shamma

Cool Schools, a program of the Climate Protection Campaign has built an incredible connection with high school and college youth in a very short period of time. Their success with the eCO2mmute project at Analy (which received the Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award 2006), to reduce greenhouse gases from student commute, expanded to Windsor and Healdsburg High Schools. Student interns also helped develop a project manual that other schools can use to implement this project, which will be available online very soon. 

In July 07, Cool Schools ran a 2-week course on climate change and filmmaking called Climate Quest on the SSU campus, involving 16 high school students and 4 college mentors. Together they created 4 films - ”Land use and Green Homes”, “Lessons in Flight”, “Going Green” and “Pathway to Sustainability”, available on www.youtube.com to view. While some films have entered film festivals, one received an award at the American Red Cross Young Filmmakers Showcase. Cool Schools won a special award from Flex Your Power (state-wide energy efficiency campaign) for the Climate Protection Expo organized at the Santa Rosa Downtown Market in Aug 07. Cool Schools also helped organize the youth element including speakers, youth music bands and volunteers at the “Step It Up: Who’s a leader?” event in Santa Rosa in Nov 07.

Leadership Training for a Sustainable Future and Sonoma Academy Youth Program, Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, Tanya Narath, Executive Director and Suzi O’Rear, Program Director, www.ecoleader.org Nominators: A) Ray Holley and B) Electra de Peyster

A) Nominator: Ray Holley. The Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy works to create a sustainable future for Sonoma County by encouraging public policy that balances a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, and social equity. In addition to community education and outreach to policy-makers, the Institute sponsors a nine-month training for community leaders. The Leadership Training for a Sustainable Future meets for a full day once a month from September through May, and educates current and future civic leaders about the links between economic viability, ecological sustainability, and social justice. Currently, Fellows of the Institute are holding elected and appointed positions throughout Sonoma County. The Institute was founded in 2000 by Rick Theis, a leader in the sustainability movement in Sonoma County.

B) Nominator: Electra de Peyster, Trustee and alumni parent at Sonoma Academy.

I am nominating Suzi O’Rear, Program Director at the Leadership Institute, and Sam Horton, Mike Peller and David Vaughn, math/science teachers at Sonoma Academy for this award because of their passion and steadfast commitment to educating young people about environmental issues. In 2007, the Leadership Institute created this one of a kind, groundbreaking program for all sophomores at Sonoma Academy. Based the Leadership Institute adult program, the class teaches students about local food systems, transportation, water issues, and housing. Suzi O’Rear has worked closely with the teachers to make certain that the information is presented in a hands-on, practical and relevant manner. The goal of the course is to expose students to a broad and balanced view of the issues surrounding the environment, economy and equity and to help them understand what will be required to develop and maintain sustainable communities in the future. The program has been a resounding success from the point of view of the students and adults in our school community. It also serves as the foundation class for Sonoma Academy’s newly created Environmental Concentration. The course will be repeated annually for all sophomores and we hope that it can be scaled and replicated for many other schools.

Ocean Discovery!, Michelle Chow, Executive Director, www.discovertheocean.org  Nominator: Dennis Rosatti

Ocean Discovery! was established in 2004 with the philosophy that people of all ages enjoy learning through hands-on exploration and have a natural curiosity about the ocean and its mysteries within. With its partners, Ocean Discovery! is bringing a whole new way of learning about marine environments to the community of Sonoma County. Their goal is to actively involve people in issues that affect their precious coastline. They strive to motivate people to learn about the ocean through participation in interactive activities, increase awareness of the latest scientific endeavors, and promote conservation and restoration efforts. Ocean Discovery! also reaches out to elementary, middle, and high school students to teach all types of science (chemistry, biology, physics, and ecology) using the ocean as their “backyard” laboratory.

Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, Bob Dyer, Senior Docent & “Mayor of Shollenberger Park”, www.petalumawetlands.org. Nominator: David Yearsley

PWA’s docent program provides year round guided wildlife tours of Shollenberger park, including Spanish language tours, for over 1,400 people a year. They bring the wetlands to many classrooms in a special science program, and they regularly lead volunteer efforts to improve conditions, understanding, and appreciation of the value of tidal wetlands. Check the website under school programs to learn about PWA’s education & science programs. Other pages speak to their community leadership, and stewardship achievements. 

ERNESTINE I. SMITH LIFETIME ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
Initiated in 1994, this award is granted to persons who are recognized by the SCCC as having devoted a major part of their lives working for the conservation and improvement of the natural environment.

Betty Burridge, Madrone Audubon Society and Redwood Region Ornithological Society, www.rros.org, Nominator: Anonymous

Betty Burridge for her efforts in furthering knowledge and research efforts for birds and habitat. She compiled and edited the Breeding Bird Atlas for Sonoma County and for many years compiled the Christmas Bird Count data sent on to the National Audubon Society. She has provided expert knowledge for numerous projects, assessments, mapping, and protection efforts of county and state. Currently operating the Audubon bird hotline, she is also the Redwood Region Ontological Society newsletter editor.

Brenda Adelman, Chair, Russian River Watershed Protection Committee Nominator: Jane Nielson

Brenda Adelman has been the public's watchdog for all Santa Rosa wastewater discharge issues since the big sewage spill of 1985. Her 30+-year fight against wastewater discharges into the Russian River, and against large-scale projects for river communities' wastewater treatment, has contributed materially to cleaning up discharges, to defeating the big projects, and to extracting a new commitment in 2008, especially from the Board of Supervisors and Regional Board, to small, community-scale treatment options. These are very significant steps forward and Brenda's crucial role in them, especially her leadership of the Russian River Watershed Protection Committee, her attendance at hundreds of council and commission meetings, and her extensive informed commentaries on the public's behalf, are achievements that few ever achieve, and should be celebrated by us all.