'Outstanding Environmental Volunteer' Honoree Gets His Own Tree

NEW CITY, NY — A Rockland man who has volunteered tirelessly to help protect the environment in ways that are making a difference close to home and beyond, was honored in the most appropriate way in the ideal venue.

Rockland County Chief of Staff John Lyon and the Division of Environmental Resources presented the 26th Annual County Executive’s Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award to Jacob Tanenbaum during a ceremony at Kennedy Dells County Park in New City.

A Serviceberry tree was planted in his honor at the park

"I am thrilled to honor an individual who has been a hero and champion for the environment for years and, without question, is extremely deserving of this award," Lyon said, presenting the award. "Jacob is consistently going above and beyond on behalf of the people of Rockland, and the future generations of Rocklanders to come and I thank you for your dedication and hard work preserving and protecting this County. It is only through the efforts of people like Jacob that Rockland County remains the beautiful place that we all cherish."

Tanenbaum has been actively involved in the American Eel Project at Minisceongo Creek for 5 years. The efforts are coordinated locally by the Rockland Soil and Water Conservation District. Each year, the data collected from the project is submitted to the NYSDEC and is used it to determine the most up to date population data on the American eel.

Tanenbaum has also worked with Turtles of Western Highway, a division of the Hudson Valley Humane Society, when he isn't busy with his full-time career as an elementary teacher. Thanks to the group's remarkable efforts, no adult turtles have been killed on Western Highway during the past six years.

"I am so appreciative that everyone is coming out to support environmental work in Rockland. Our environment is what brings many of us here to this beautiful County," Tanenbaum said, accepting the honor. "We’re so close to New York City and are lucky to have so much green space, which we have because we work to protect it."