The County Executive’s Corner: Are You Our Next Environmental Volunteer Awardee?

Rockland County is a beautiful place that my administration, on top of protecting our people, is always striving to do more to preserve our environment and guide Rockland towards a greener future.

This County is proudly ranked #15 of all local governments nationwide by the Environmental Protection Agency for utilizing 100% U.S. generated wind electricity.

My administration also launched Rockland’s Sustainability Project. Under this initiative almost two dozen departments are working together on generating a long-term plan to improve the County’s rankings in the New York State Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities programs. The more milestones we achieve in these programs the more grant funding we are eligible for, ultimately opening the door for more green investments without impacting the wallets of local taxpayers.

We also purchased several more properties under our Open Space Acquisition Program including most recently purchasing 132 acres known as the Eagle Valley Assemblage for preservation thanks to help from the Open Space Institute.

But protecting the beauty of Rockland cannot be accomplished by this administration alone. It comes down to our residents also doing their part. One of the most inspiring things about this County is the vast number of residents going above and beyond to do just that.

Which is why every year we try to find one of those environmental heroes and honor them for their prestigious efforts with the County Executive’s Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award. This award recognizes exceptional volunteers who care for our parks, champion our watershed programs, encourage recycling and work every day to enhance the natural beauty of our county’s open spaces.

As we approach the 27th Annual Rockland County Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award celebration, my administration and the Division of Environmental Resources are now accepting nominations.

To be eligible to receive the award an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a Rockland County resident. Individuals who have been nominated in the past, but not chosen, are eligible to be re-nominated.

County Executive Day will honor this year’s winner during a tree dedication ceremony at Kennedy Dells Park on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at 11 am.

To be considered, nominations must be received by 5 pm, Friday, August 30th , 2024.

For more information or to obtain a nomination form please contact the Division of Environmental Resources at 845-364-2670 or via email at rosamilb@co.rockland.ny.us.