Awards Program

The Environmental Excellence Awards Program recognizes exceptional projects carried out by municipal, county, and regional governments and non-profit organizations that, through careful planning and execution, stand to have a significant and lasting positive impact on the natural environment. The program is sponsored by NYSACC and is designed to showcase and promote projects that can be replicated in communities across New York State and beyond.

In addition, NYSACC each year honors an individual who has demonstrated “lifelong environmental concern and service” through the Margery Sachs Award for Environmental Leadership, named in memory of one of NYSACC’s original directors. Marjorie, the long-time chair of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board, donated along with her husband in the early 1950’s, 7.4 acres of land to the Mianus River Gorge Conservation Committee, a group that eventually became affiliated with the Nature Conservancy, and the land the Sachs’ bequeathed became one of their first preserves. Margery suffered a massive stroke while attending a NYSACC Board of Directors meeting when she was in her mid-80’s and died a week later. She represented an earlier generation that valued land preservation long before it became popular to do so. To nominate an individual for this award (it cannot be self-nominated), send a statement to awards@nysacc.org giving the reasons why this person should receive the award. There is no age or public recognition requirements.

We also award the Joy Squires Student Environmental Achievement Award.

If you represent a municipal, county, or regional government or non-profit organization in New York State that has recently completed a project in the areas of Environmental Planning and Design; Natural Resource Protection; Community Action and Engagement; Education; Research; or another related subject area, we invite you to nominate your project for consideration in this year’s Environmental Excellence Awards Program. Environmental Excellence Award nominations are due two weeks before the first day of the annual New York State Conference on the Environment (NYSCOE), held each fall. Nominations are evaluated by a panel of reviewers from NYSACC, with winners announced at the annual NYSCOE awards luncheon.

To complete an awards nomination form online, click here.

Past Award Recipients

2019

Environmental Project Award Recipients

No Recipients

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2018

Environmental Project Award Recipients

No Recipients

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2017

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Trees for Tribs Planting Along the Wallkill River – Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council
Carbon Neutral Initiative – Town of Woodstock Environmental Commission
Free Repair of Household Items – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council
Memorial Plantings at Community Center – Town of Elbridge Environmental Commission

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Julie Noble & Steve Noble – For their years of service dedication to environmental education in the City of Kingston, NY and throughout New York State.

2016

Environmental Project Award Recipients

No Recipient

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2015

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Natural Habitat Mapping Initiative – Town of Bedford Conservation Board
Local Environmental Conference Program – Village of Lloyd Harbor Conservation Board

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2014

Environmental Project Award Recipient

Earth Day Art Contest – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Peter Rizzo – For his years of dedication to civic environmental stewardship and generous contributions to the mission of NYSACC.

2013

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Amherst State Park – Town of Amherst Conservation Advisory Council
Green Awards for Environmental Excellence – Town of Bedford Conservation Board
Saving Ithaca’s Scenic Views – Town of Ithaca Conservation Board

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Kathleen Mecca – For her role as a community leader and steadfast advocate for environmental justice in the West Side neighborhood of the City of Buffalo, NY.

2012

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Rain Barrel Workshops – Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Charles Morrison – For his significant roles in establishing conservation commissions and county environmental management councils in New York State and in the creation of NYSACC and the former New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils.

2011

Environmental Project Award Recipients

The Honey Bee Project – Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council
The 10% Challenge Project – Red Hook Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2010

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Climate Smart & Green Job Community Pledge – City of Kingston Conservation Advisory Commission
Novel Method to Increase Dissemination of Environmental Information – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Commission
NYSACC News CAC/CB Award – Arlene Kaufman

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

John Fava – For his contributions to the Town of North Castle, NY, Conservation Board and service on NYSACC’s Board of Directors.

2009

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Huntington Trail Guide – Town of Huntington Conservation Board
Restoration of the Mt. Nimham Fire Tower – Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee
Community Garden at Benedict Farm Park – Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2008

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Conservation Pillars Project – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council
Conservation Board Publications – North Castle Conservation Board

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2007

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Bedford Rain Garden – Bedford Conservation Board
Dann Lake Park – Amherst Conservation Advisory Council
Mile-A-Minute Vine Infestation Response Project – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council
Conservation Board Publications – Town of North Castle Conservation Board

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Maung Htoo – For his dedication as chair of the Town of LaGrange, NY, Conservation Advisory Council and service on NYSACC’s Board of Directors.

2006

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Wappinger Creek Bank Restoration – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council
Energy $mart Holiday Decorating Contest – Town of Tonawanda Commission for Conservation of the Environment

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

George Melrose – For his leadership as the long-time chair of the Town of Tonawanda, NY, Environmental Commission and Erie County, NY, Environmental Management Council.

2005

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Enhanced Environment Overlay Districts – Grand Island Commission for the Conservation of the Environment
White Papers – Town of Bedford Conservation Board
Skaneateles Creek Gorge Cleanup – Elbridge Commission on the Environment
Acquisition and Management of the Harned Sawmill Preserve – Town of Smithtown Conservation Board
Oversight of the Cleanup and Remediation of Radioactive Waste Sites Along the Town of Tonawanda Waterfront – Town of Tonawanda Commission for Conservation of the Environment
Wappinger Creek Greenway Trail – Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Ann Brandt – For her service as a member of the Town of Woodstock, NY, Environmental Commission; the Ulster County, NY, Environmental Council; and NYSACC’s Board of Directors.

2004

Environmental Project Award Recipients

No Recipients

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

2003

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Establishment of a Conservation Easement Law – Eden Conservation Advisory Board
Creation of a Conservation Advisory Council Brochure and Poster – Cortlandt Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Simon Skolnik – For his service as chair of the Town of Bedford, NY, Conservation Board and vice president of NYSACC.

2002

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Publication of The State of the Environment in North Castle – North Castle Conservation Board
Study to Determine Property Owner Environmental Compliance with Southold Trustee Permit Stipulations – Southold Conservation Advisory Council

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Lee Hanle Younge – For her service as chair of the Town of Big Flats, NY, Environmental Conservation Committee and the Chemung County, NY, Environmental Management Council.

2001

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Save Our Streams – Elbridge Commission on the Environment
Natural Resources Inventory and Open Space Index – Eden Conservation Advisory Board
Schuyler Flatts Cultural Park – Town of Colonie Conservation Advisory Council
Planning for a Proposed On Site Composting Facility – Alden Environmental Conservation Commission

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Joy Squires – For her tireless dedication as the president of NYSACC and chair of the Town of Huntington, NY, Conservation Board.

2000

Environmental Project Award Recipients

Turtle Crossing Sign Project – Pawling Conservation Advisory Board
Creation of the Wampus Brook Pathway – North Castle Conservation Board
Scarsdale Open Space Map – Scarsdale Advisory Council on Environmental Conservation
Community Day September 2000 Participation – East Fishkill Conservation Advisory Council
Scenic Woods Acquisition Project for the Preservation of Gun Creek Woods Ecosystem – Grand Island Commission for the Conservation of the Environment

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Don Duger – For his service on the NYSACC Board of Directors and as chair of the Town of Elbridge, NY, Environmental Commission.

1999

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Annette Kaicher – For her service as a member of the City of White Plains, NY, Conservation Board; the Westchester County, NY, Environmental Management Council; and NYSACC’s Board of Directors.

1998

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

1997

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Elizabeth Sluder – For her service as chair of the Town of North Castle, NY, Conservation Board and chair of the Westchester County, NY, Environmental Management Council.

1996

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

No Recipient

1995

Margery Sachs Award Recipient

Eve Fertig – For her service as chair of the Town of Alden, NY, Environmental Conservation Commission; founder of the Enchanted Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in the Town of Alden, NY; and member of NYSACC’s Board of Directors.