Written by Vector1Media Tuesday, 20 October 2009 16:13
This year`s individual award recipients are:
* Alexie Torres-Fleming, who led the removal of tons of trash from the Bronx
River in New York City, including 40 cars and 10,000 tires, creating a healthy
waterway and river corridor that inspired youth in the community to connect with
nature and take pride in their South Bronx neighborhood.
* Rosie Zamora, the driving force behind Houston Wilderness and its effort to
bridge the vibrant, lively city with wetlands, forests and rivers, and educate
Houston residents on the spectacular environment in their backyards.
* Rick Wagner, a 26-year veteran of the National Park Service with 43 years of
federal conservation work, who preserved key pieces of the American cultural and
natural heritage by spearheading the creation of the State of Idaho Castle Rock
State Park and the expansion of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, the
Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and the California Trail in the City of Rocks
National Reserve.
This year, 28 nonprofits and public agencies received grants, including:
* Swain Family Intervention Services, Inc., forconstruction of signage along
trails near Lake Fontana in western North Carolina that protect historic
African-American cemeteries.
* Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance, fora water trails webpage that will
provide downloadable maps, information and other interactive features for the
Pend Oreille River and accompanying trails in Oregon.
* Berrien County Health Department, to lay out a "Rail to Trail" greenway around
Benton Harbor that will provide new recreational opportunities for county
residents.
"Kodak appreciates the value of local community grassroots initiatives in
preserving our nation`s great outdoor heritage," said David Kiser, Kodak Vice
President and Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability. "These
local initiatives and individuals recognized in the Kodak American Greenways
Awards are visible, valuable and never more vital."
"Greenways not only improve the nation`s ecological health, these natural
corridors provide vital opportunities for all Americans to improve their
physical health," said Gilbert M. Grosvenor, Chairman of the National Geographic
Society. "With the help of companies like Kodak, the greenways network has
linked city streets to parklands and other open spaces. The program still enjoys
robust growth as we celebrate 20 years of cooperation."
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Kodak American Greenways Program, The
Conservation Fund presented Kodak and National Geographic with a special award
for their continued leadership and vision in sponsoring this important program.
"Winding through cities, parks and woods, and alongside rivers, lakes and
abandoned rail lines, greenways are a vital part of any city`s infrastructure.
These pathways preserve wildlife habitat, enhance water quality and provide
opportunities for close-to-home outdoor recreation and sustainable economic
development," said Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund. "I
thank Kodak and National Geographic for their tremendous dedication to this
program for 20 years, and I congratulate the outstanding recipients of this
year`s awards and grants. Together we are preserving lifelines that link
neighborhoods, parks and people."
About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses,
and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich
their lives.
To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at
http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts
online at KODAK Gallery--join today at www.kodakgallery.com.
About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America`s land and water legacy.
With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at
home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining
wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We`re a top-ranked
conservation organization, effective and efficient. www.conservationfund.org
