Carolyn Hill named 2024 County Executive’s Outstanding Environmental Volunteer

This week, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Division of Environmental Resources Director Kevin McGuinness presented the 27th County Executive’s Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award to Carolyn Hill during a ceremony at Kennedy Dells County Park in New City.

“I am thrilled to honor Carolyn Hill who has been a hero and champion for the environment for years and, without question, is extremely deserving of this award and in fact, many in Rockland County know her non-profit the Turtles of Western Highway quite well,” said County Executive Ed Day. “The County of Rockland helped Carolyn’s organization by putting up turtle crossing signs, which made a statement. It showed the people of this county that we were serious about protecting all things big and small and that we understand the importance of the ecology in our County.”

Carolyn Hill, a wildlife rehabilitator, founded The Turtles of Western Highway, a nonprofit affiliated with The Hudson Valley Humane Society, to protect snapping turtles during their annual migration across Western Highway. After witnessing many turtles being killed by speeding cars, she began by putting up handmade signs urging drivers to slow down. Her efforts have since expanded into a volunteer organization that repairs fencing to prevent turtles from crossing the road, builds nesting mounds, patrols the area, and transports injured turtles for care. Thanks to Carolyn’s work, the local snapping turtle population has been preserved.

“Carolyn has consistently gone above and beyond to protect and preserve this species, and I thank her for her dedication and hard work,” concluded County Executive Day. “It is only through the efforts of people like Carolyn that Rockland County remains the beautiful place that we all cherish.”

A Dogwood tree was planted in her honor at Kennedy Dells County Park.

Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award Winner Carolyn Hill was grateful for the recognition saying in part, “It takes a village. There really is strength in unity and I’m so thankful that our community came together to support an effort like this, and I can honestly say because this community made this happen, I feel strongly that I can stand here and say I receive this award on behalf of all volunteers, community leaders, & local businesses that make this possible.”