Last year, 10-year-old Tessa Hicks shared her love of amphibians with pre-K students, while Matthew Santacecilia, also 10, walked to school, recycled and dreamed up new fuel sources. Middle schooler Aidan Gause conducted a thorough scientific study to check pollutant levels related to a trash transfer station near his Harbeson home. And high school senior Nate Reed led his school’s Ecology Club on projects such as monitoring the health of the Brandywine and lobbying for the adoption of the stonefly as the state’s macro invertebrate.
For their innovative ideas, good stewardship and concern for the natural world, Tessa, Matthew, Aidan and Nate were honored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as Delaware’s 2007 Young Environmentalists of the Year.If you know students like them, who are putting their passions into projects that benefit our environment, you are encouraged to nominate them for the 2008 Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards.
Open to Delaware students in grades 1 through 12, this annual awards program seeks nominees whose actions have resulted in the protection, restoration or enhancement of our state’s natural resources. Projects must have been completed between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, with nominations open from Thursday, May 1 to Monday, June 2, 2007.
Anyone can nominate a deserving student – teachers, parents, classmates, club or group leaders – by filling out a nomination form and including letters, reports, photos or other documentation of the project.
Winners will be chosen in three categories: elementary grades 1-4, middle school grades 5-8 and high school grades 9-12, and each will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond and a gift certificate for a canoe, kayak or pontoon boat trip at one of Delaware’s State Parks. Winners also will be honored in a special ceremony on Governor’s Day, Thursday, July 24, at the 2008 Delaware State Fair in Harrington.
This is the 15th year for the awards program, which was established by DNREC colleagues and friends in honor of Dr. Edwin H. Clark II, who served as Secretary of DNREC from 1989 until 1993.
For more information, please contact Young Environmentalist Awards Coordinator Joanna Wilson in the DNREC Public Affairs Office at 302-739-9902, joanna.wilson@state.de.us.
