State honors local project with 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently honored 22 projects completed by schools, businesses, and community organizations around the state with the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, including work by the Pike County Conservation District.

Applications were evaluated for their “degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved,” per the state’s announcement.

The state recognized the Pike County Conservation District for its Dingman Township Park Pollinator Gardens project, which included the development of two native plant pollinator gardens at Dingman Township Park (Log Tavern Rd., Milford) that provide habitat and nutrition to local pollinator populations. The project also included educational signage to provide visitors with planting information, pollinator identification and benefits, information on threats to pollinators, and steps individuals can take to encourage pollinators on their own properties.

“The Pike County Conservation District is humbled to be one of the recipients of this prestigious award. Working closely with our community partners to protect our natural resources is integral to what we do at the Conservation District,” said District Manager Tara Mlodzienski. “The Dingman Township Pollinator Gardens project is a great example of how we are able to work with organizations like the Pike County Master Gardeners and McLane Associates to educate the general public while also contributing directly to reducing pollution. We encourage everyone who hasn’t already to visit the park and enjoy the pollinator gardens in person!”

In addition to Dingman Township’s pollinator gardens, the state also recognized the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation over in Wayne County for its Lacawac Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network Program, which helps safeguard state water resources by providing education, lake monitoring (Lake Wallenpaupack), and “citizen science programs.”

“This year’s Environmental Excellence honorees showcase the innovative ways we can protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Together we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards and these projects represent our ability to work together and preserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources.”

A full list of statewide environmental programs honored can be found on the DEP website.