RATON — Governor Susana Martinez announced the winners of New Mexico’s inaugural Governor’s Environental Excellence Awards on Earth Day April 22, and northern New Mexico won in two categories in the statewide contest. The awards honor outstanding achievements in waste reduction and pollution prevention, energy conservation, environmental education and outreach, land management, water conservation, and youth leadership.
The City of Raton won in the category of Water Resources, for their continuing post-fire restoration efforts of the community and of Lake Maloya, their primary drinking water source. Scott Berry, Raton City Manager, said, “Raton had a very committed team of stakeholders that took very quick action, and started rehabilitation work while the fire was still smoldering. Among the stakeholders that made the project work was the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado State Forest Service that provided invaluable assistance in the Lake Dorothey area. Many others have worked on the project since 2011, and the biggest factor was the rapid response following the fire.”
Vermejo Park Ranch, southwest of Raton, won in Wildlife Conservation, as recognition for the restoration of New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, to the Rio Costilla.
Other winners statewide were:
• Puesta del Sol Elementary in Rio Rancho for organics recycling (Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention),
• Asombro Institute for Science Education for their Stepping out for Science project (Environmental Education and Outreach),
• The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program of Albuquerque for long-term stewardship of the Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem (Land and Ecosystem Stewardship),
• Kit Carson Electric Cooperative of Taos was recognized for taking a proactive approach to creating energy diversity and sustainability (Energy Conservation),
• Talking Talons Youth Leadership of Tijeras was recognized for their Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (Youth Leadership).
• Laura McCarthy, director of conservation programs for the Nature Conservancy in Santa Fe, was recognized for leading the Conservancy, which is guided by the principle that economic growth and environmental stewardship are compatible.
“These awards offer an important and unique opportunity to honor New Mexicans who lead the way in safeguarding our state’s abundant natural resources,” Governor Martinez said. “I’m so proud that so many New Mexicans share this commitment, and I’m honored to recognize these individuals for their outstanding accomplishments.”
The purpose of the awards program is to support, recognize, and celebrate the hard work of those New Mexicans dedicated to restoring and protecting the natural heritage and environmental health of New Mexico.
It is open to a variety of applicants including businesses, nonprofits, regional governmental organizations, tribes and pueblos, land grants, civic organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other groups and individuals.
For more information and to learn about the 2016 awards, visit: www.nmenv.state.nm.us/OOTS/GEEA.html.
