Chapel Hill Student Honored for 'Environmental Awareness'

A School student received accolades Tuesday morning for helping to create a that could restrict the sale and growth of invasive plants.

Fourth grader Jacob Robinson received the Outstanding Youth Achievement Award for "environmental awareness" from the North American Weed Management Association. It was presented by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl F. (Buddy) Hance, according to Jacob's father, Dennis M. Robinson Jr., president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association.

also presented Jacob with a Baltimore County Council Resolution. He was recognized by state and as well.

“I certainly do not need Jacob to receive an award for me to be proud of him because I am proud of him every day for the young person he has become, but it was an honor for Jacob to be recognized for his environmental stewardship," Robinson wrote in an email to Patch.

"We are waiting to hear what Jacob’s next endeavor will be,” Robinson wrote.

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the into law in April, Patch reported.

Jacob testified before the and before the . The bill later received .

The legislation was conceived by Jacob and introduced by state Del. Shane Robinson (no relation). It lays the framework for a committee to be formed to designate invasive plant species.

Some plants will then be effectively banned, while others will be disclosed to consumers as invasive. Retailers must clearly label some designated plants as invasive species, according to the law.

Hance's office is required to adopt the new regulations by Oct. 1, 2012, as stated in the law.

Would you be able to identify an invasive plant if you saw one? Can you think of any examples? Tell us in the comments.