by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Over 15 businesses, schools and individuals received awards Friday for their commitment to the environment at the 16th annual Mayor’s Environmental Luncheon.
One particular award was never given out before until Friday. Mayor John Peyton presented the first ever Mayor’s Award for Environmental Achievement to Anna Dooley, executive director of Greenscape of Jacksonville, Inc.
“I want to recognize a dear friend, Anna Dooley, for her outstanding service in this realm. But unfortunately she can not be here today,” said Peyton. “She really has been a leader in the environmental community.”
A member of Greenscape of Jacksonville accepted the award on Dooley’s behalf.
“She (Dooley) does outstanding work and I wanted to recognize all of her hard work,” said Peyton.
The award will be presented annually to an individual or group that demonstrates work protecting, restoring, enhancing and preserving the environment. The mayor will select the winner each year.
John Shellhorn, chief of the Mosquito Control Division, member of Clean It Up, Green It Up and the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission, said the event provides the opportunity to recognize local individuals and organizations.
“We want to raise awareness and recognize the community’s individuals, businesses and non-profits that restore, enhance and protect the environment,” he said.
Peyton added that he is proud of the work everyone is doing to protect the environment.
“We are doing many things, but there is still more to do,” he said. “I want to give a lot of credit to all of you for your advocacy and beliefs.”
Six local environmental groups presented the awards this year. Those groups were: Tree Hill, St. Johns Riverkeeper, Greenscape of Jacksonville, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission, Environmental Protection Board and the Sierra Club-Northeast Florida Group.
This year’s award winners were:
• Dr. Ted Allen, Jacksonville University Biology professor — Environmental Educators (T.R.E.E.) Award
• Ron Littlepage, Florida Times-Union columnist — River Advocate Award
• Master Gardener Sam Eisenberg, retired civil engineer who joined the Master Gardener Program — Canopy Award
• The Florida Division of Forestry, played major role in Greenscape’s “Right Tree, Right Place” project — Canopy Award
• Jeff Bryan, Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association president — Canopy Award
• Duval County Junior Master Gardener Program — Environmental Achievement Award for Institutions
• Rex Corporation — Environmental Achievement Award for an Industry
• Stanton College Preparatory High School’s Stanton Conservation Club - Environmental Achievement Award
• Marine Biologist Gary Kirkland and John and Fortune Milko — Environmental Achievement Award for Individuals
• UNF Landscape and Grounds Department — Environmental Achievement Organization Award
• Z Excellence — Environmental Achievement Business Award
• Discovery Montessori School — Environmental Achievement Elementary School Award for Teamwork
• Kernan Middle School — Environmental Achievement Middle School Award
• Fletcher High School — Environmental Achievement High School Award
• Sarah Bailey — Champion of the Environment Award