Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Department of the Environment

Nominations being accepted for the 37th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Samantha Kappalman
samantha.kappalman@maryland.gov

Adrienne Diaczok
adrienne.diaczok@maryland.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Nominations being accepted for the 37th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment
Tawes Award winner’s favorite non-profit group to receive $250 donation in their name; nomination deadline is April 11

BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2014) – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 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 $250 each in the names of the Tawes youth and adult winners to the non-profit group of their choice.

The deadline for nominations is April 11. 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, Land Management Administration, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 650, Baltimore MD  21230, Attention: Jennifer Hopper – Tawes Award.

MORE INFORMATION:

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

In 2013, the Tawes and Coulter winners were:

Anthony Thim – Tawes Award – Adult Category

Anthony Thim volunteers as the Deputy Chairman of the Maryland Ad Hoc Committee on Oil. He has also chaired several regulatory review groups, spending hours of his personal time drafting standards and guidance documents and providing support and direction regarding regulations.

Nathan Hirtle –Tawes Award – Youth Category

As part of his Eagle Scout Leadership project, Nathan Hirtle completed an environmental restoration project in the Patapsco watershed. He led efforts to plant more than 3,000 trees near the Liberty Reservoir to benefit water quality. Nathan has also participated in environment-related activities that include public outreach and teaching environmental leadership to peers. He is also an outstanding student and a participant in the Maryland Envirothon. He intends to pursue a career in environmental science.

Mike Frank – James B. Coulter Government Employee Award

Mike Frank of Maryland Department of the Environment’s Land Management Administration has more than 19 years of service and experience in protecting Maryland’s environment, including working with small businesses and residential communities to maintain compliance and cleanup of oil spills. He also serves as the State’s lead investigator to identify sources and responsible parties of oil spills, saving the State and Maryland taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.

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 11, 2014.
  • The Maryland Petroleum Council will donate $250 each in the names of the Tawes youth and adult winners to the non-profit 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 quality of Maryland’s air, water and land resources, while fostering smart growth, a thriving and sustainable economy and healthy communities.

# # #