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Maryland Department of the Environment

Nominations being accepted for 39th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jay Apperson

(410) 537-3003
jay.apperson@maryland.gov

Nominations being accepted for 39th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

Tawes Award winner’s favorite nonprofit group to receive $300 donation in their name; nomination deadline is April 14

Baltimore, MD (February 12, 2016) – Nominations are being accepted for the 2016 Tawes Award for a Clean Environment and for the James B. Coulter Government Employee Award. The Tawes Award recognizes individuals, civic, community and non-profit groups that have demonstrated outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland’s environment over a period of time or with a single project. There are separate categories for youth and adults. The James B. Coulter Award acknowledges outstanding environmental contributions by a government employee.  The Maryland Petroleum Council will donate $300 each in the names of the Tawes youth and adult winners to the nonprofit group of their choice

The deadline for nominations is April 14. Nomination forms are available on MDE’s website, and may be submitted by email to TAWES.AWARD@maryland.gov or by mail to: Maryland Department of the Environment, Office of Communications, 7th Floor, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD  21230, Attention: Adrienne Diaczok – Tawes Award.

More Information

Past project winners have included community cleanups, school ecology or beautification projects and innovative environmental enhancements in recycling, prevention and control of hazardous materials, waste reduction and other areas.

In 2015, the Tawes and Coulter winners were:

Fountaindale Elementary School:  Tawes Youth Award Winner
Fountaindale Elementary School has put enormous effort and work into building an innovative on-campus environmental studies area. The school has expanded its wetland area, helped stabilize the Hamilton Run (a tributary of Antietam Creek) and offered a free summer STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Education) camp for students.

John Long:  Tawes Adult Award
John Long began cleaning up Bread and Cheese Creek in 2009 with 40 friends and family. His enthusiasm and leadership has helped the group grow and extend its reach, partnering with local groups to clean area parks, streams, neighborhoods, historical monuments and public lands in Baltimore County. He coordinates more than 12 cleanups annually with an average of 100 volunteers per event.

Gregory Songberg, Maryland Department of the Environment – Coulter Award
Gregory Songberg has spent nearly 40 years working for the State of Maryland to protect and restore the quality of our state’s natural resources and has dedicated himself to serving Maryland’s businesses and citizens. He began his work at the Department of Natural Resources in 1976 and is now the division chief with the Oil Control Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment. Over his career he has been a key advisor for many aspects of the Maryland’s oil industry and has worked tirelessly to keep it one of the best and safest in the nation.

Core Facts
  • The annual statewide environmental recognition program seeks to involve youth, adults, and private and public organizations in the restoration and protection of Maryland’s natural resources. Any individual, civic, community, or non-profit entity that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland’s environment over a period of time or with a single project may be nominated.
  • Nominations are due April 14, 2016.
  • The Maryland Petroleum Council will donate $300 each in the names of the Tawes youth and adult winners to the nonprofit group of their choice.
  • An event to recognize winners will be held in May.
  • The awards are co-sponsored by MDE, the Maryland Petroleum Council and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to recognize youngsters, adults and private and public organizations involved in the restoration and protection of Maryland’s natural resources.
  • The Tawes Award is named for J. Millard Tawes, governor of Maryland from 1959 to 1967 and the first secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He is the only Marylander elected to all three statewide offices: Comptroller, Treasurer and Governor.
  • The James B. Coulter Award, established in 2005, is named in honor of Maryland’s second Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.
Additional Links
MDE Mission

Our mission is to protect and restore the environment for the health and well-being of all Marylanders.

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