“Congrats To The 2024 Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Carolyn Hill”

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 one of the top local governments nationwide by the Environmental Protection Agency for utilizing 100% U.S. green 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.

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, including Carolyn Hill. Carolyn has been a hero for our environment for years and, without question, is extremely deserving of this award and in fact, many in Rockland County know her organization the Turtles of Western Highway quite well. 

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.

The County of Rockland also was among those who 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 has consistently gone above and beyond to protect and preserve this species, and I thank her for her dedication and hard work. 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. This award recognizes exceptional volunteers like Carolyn who are champions of the County’s environment.

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. Know someone who should be honored next year? Obtain a nomination form from the Division of Environmental Resources at 845-364-2670 or via email at rosamilb@co.rockland.ny.us.