See Lower Merion's 2020 'Go For The Green' Award Winners

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Environmental Advisory Council in Lower Merion Township recently announced winners of its annual "Go for the Green" Awards.

Go for the Green Awards recognize residents, businesses, organizations and schools in Lower Merion Township for significant environmental achievements and contributions to the community and thereby, raise awareness for environmental issues.

This year's winners will be recognized at a virtual award ceremony to be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.on Tuesday.

The EAC will also acknowledge the contributions by two former colleagues — Brian Hoppy and Andrea Campisi — at the awards ceremony.

For more information on the ZOOM awards ceremony or to RSVP for the event, contact Holly Colello via e-mail at hcolello@lowermerion.org or phone at 610-645-6271.

Below are the 2020 Go for the Green Award winners:

Joseph M. Manko Lifetime Achievement Award
This award was named for former Lower Merion Township Board President and Ward 9 Commissioner Joseph M. Manko, Esq., whose environmental contributions as an attorney and a community leader have significantly impacted the quality of life for those living and working in Lower Merion and for future generations.

• George Manos, AIA
  • In recognition of his dedicated service to the Township as a Commissioner for Ward 9 from 2006 - 2020. Patient, methodical and deeply invested in quality of life and environmental issues, George has worked tirelessly to improve Bala Cynwyd and the Township as a whole. Significant recent accomplishments include spearheading long overdue renovations of the Bala Cynwyd Library, facilitating the creation of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, and leading overhaul of the zoning code for the City Avenue Special Services District.
• Elizabeth Rogan, AICP
  • In recognition of her dedicated service to the Township as a Commissioner for Ward 7 from 2004 - 2020, and as Director of Planning & Community Development from 1990-2003. Liz has been a passionate advocate for sustainable, high-quality development, and has successfully built consensus among numerous groups of elected officials and community leaders. Among her many contributions to Lower Merion, Liz led a multi-year Township effort to allocate local funding and in-kind services to expand Philadelphia’s regional trail network into Lower Merion via the Cynwyd Heritage Trail.

Commercial

• Mother Compost - Gwenn Nolan, business owner
  • Organic waste management/composting service diverts organic waste from landfills and incineration, offsets vehicle emissions.

Organization

• Penn Valley Civic Association - Michelle Detwiler, President
  • Neighborhood landscape improvements and environmental stewardship and community engagement program.

Institution

• Stoneleigh, a natural garden - Natural Lands
  • Historic Villanova estate preserved open space as a public garden and education center; vast landscape improvements incorporating native plants, managed turf and meadow areas; enhancing biodiversity, protecting ecosystems and restoring canopy cover.

Education

• Penn Valley Elementary School, Lower Merion School District
• Scott Mitchell, Principal
• Joe Mudd, Challenge Teacher
  • Campus greening and environmental stewardship program involving students and their parents.

Sustainability

• Phyllis Rubin, Penn Wynne
  • Advocate for regenerative/sustainable agricultural practices and GMO-free agriculture in Pennsylvania.

Green Design and Development

• Michael Convery, environmental engineer at Aqua, America, building owner and Timothy Cassidy, Landscape Architect/Principal at Bernardon
  • Streetscape and landscape improvements benefiting the environment at the Aqua campus on Lancaster Ave in Bryn Mawr.

The EAC will also acknowledge the contributions by two former colleagues at the awards ceremony:

EAC Special Recognition

• Brian Hoppy
  • Brian served on the EAC for 9 years and was very active as Chair. Notable activities included the development of the recently approved Zoning Code, the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan and the 5-year Environmental Action Plan, the formation of the Sustainability Task Force and serving as host for the LMTV Environmental Update Show.

EAC Award of Appreciation

• Andrea Campisi
  • While working 21 years as a planner at Lower Merion Township, Andrea served as the staff liaison to the EAC. She excelled at keeping the EAC prepared and well informed on the issues at hand. The EAC extends a heartfelt debt of gratitude to Andrea for her exemplary service and for the many late nights she spent with us at meetings, always cheerful and frequently with snacks to share. Since taking on a new position as the Director of Building and Zoning at East Bradford Township, the multitude of things she did to keep the EAC moving forward have become more apparent than ever.