New York, NY – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated three city organizations for winning the 2010 Environmental Quality Award. The eco-friendly small business, non-profits, and public service initiatives – all of whom Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February – will receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening the city.
“I congratulate these outstanding groups for their dedication to securing a cleaner New York,” said Senator Gillibrand. “From improving the city’s quality of life to creating new local green jobs, these environmental champions will help lead the way towards a green energy future for our city and our country.”
“We are honored to receive this award and recognition from Senator Gillibrand and EPA Region II,” said Brian Aucoin, Director of GreenApple Corps. “GreenApple Corps members are environmental ambassadors, facilitating public access to and stewardship for New York City’s natural areas through innovative, hands-on programs and projects. Over the past six years, Corps members have worked with over ten thousand students from some of New York City’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, teaching them about the environment and connecting them to nature in the City. We are proud of the work we do for this great City, and look forward to continuing to foster future environmental stewards.”
“Green Depot serves builders with the insight, passion and green materials vital to creating healthy, sustainable neighborhoods,” said Sarah Beatty, President of Green Depot. “We are proud to be part of New York’s burgeoning green community in a time when there is distinct opportunity for entrepreneurial businesses like Green Depot to spur innovation, job creation, and positive change. We appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s continued leadership safeguarding our environment, protecting the health and well being of New Yorkers and fostering sustainable practice.”
“We’re delighted Senator Gillibrand nominated us for the 2010 Environmental Quality Award for our initiatives across the city,” said GrowNYC Executive Director Marcel Van Ooyen. “As environmental issues are at the forefront of many people’s minds, GrowNYC will continue and strengthen its work providing resources like access to locally-farmed food, opportunities for recycling, green spaces and education programs that residents need to create a greener city.”
The following Manhattan-based organizations which Senator Gillibrand nominated will receive the 2010 Environmental Quality Award:
- Green Apple Corps, public service initiative of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, immerses Corps members in environmental education, ecological restoration, and urban forestry to actively preserve and restore natural ecosystems, increase the street tree population citywide, and turn school kids into environmentally aware citizens and stewards.
- Green Depot, leading supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and home solutions. Founded in 2005, the goal of this small business is to create local green jobs and make green building products and services readily accessible so that green building can be easily adopted into standard construction practices. The organization will soon launch a city pilot program to promote indoor quality air.
- GrowNYC, hands-on non-profit which improves the city’s quality of life through environmental programs such as Greenmarkets, recycling and education initiatives, and community gardens. The four-decade organization aims to help New Yorkers recycle more and reduce waste, provide access to healthy, fresh, local food for all New Yorkers, and create the next generation of environmental leaders.
Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations that have improved the environment and public health in EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven federally-recognized Indian Nations), will be formally presented to New York organizations in a ceremony on Friday, April 23 at the EPA Regional Headquarters in Lower Manhattan.