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Maryland Department of the Environment

Nominations being accepted for the 38th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

Media Contacts:
Jay Apperson
jay.apperson@maryland.gov
Adrienne Diaczok
adrienne.diaczok@maryland.gov
410-537-3003

Nominations being accepted for the 38th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

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

BALTIMORE, MD (February 24, 2015) – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 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 non-profit 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 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 2014, the Tawes and Coulter winners were:

Northern Garrett High School:  Tawes Youth Award Winner
Northern Garrett High School students were honored for their achievements with the Cove Run Brook Trout stream restoration project – a partnership between the students and the local community, including private, public and governmental sectors.  With grant money, students installed fencing to create a buffer on both sides of the stream, planted 160 trees and seedlings and removed invasive plant species to help with the establishment of the planted trees and shrubs. As a result of their efforts, student-led water quality collection data showed that the health of the stream improved.

Boonsboro Environmental Commission:  Tawes Adult Award
The Boonsboro Environmental Commission promotes a healthy environment through sound conservation and sustainable practices, encouraging responsible waste management and energy and resource conservation. The commission works to protect the health and well-being of the citizens of Boonsboro. The Commission was recognized for several projects they initiated, including: facilitating energy audits on Town buildings; obtaining technical assistance from the University of Maryland to help develop a Storm Water Management Program for Boonsboro; and assisting with the Town-wide bulk trash and recycling clean-up and a stream buffer planting of 279 trees in Shafer Park .

Chuck Ulm, Office of Maryland Comptroller – Coulter Award
Chuck Ulm was recognized for the guidance and support  provided to the citizens of Maryland and the regulated petroleum community of Maryland through his work with Office of Maryland Comptroller’s Motor Fuel Tax Division. Additionally, as a member of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Oil, his expertise in motor fuels and the development of regulations has been instrumental in assisting MDE in the development of regulations for several programs. By sharing his knowledge and his experience he has assisted the State in staying at the forefront of the protection of Maryland’s air and water resources.

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, 2015.
  • The Maryland Petroleum Council will donate $300 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.

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