Know someone smart, green and/or growing?
Gov. Martin O'Malley isn't done handing out the 2010 awards under the Smart, Green and Growing program, but he's already calling on residents to nominate next year's winners.
Citizens can nominate their fellow citizens, local governments and organizations for recognition under the program.
“Smart, Green & Growing is both an initiative and a call to arms,” said O’Malley in a statement. “It is about people –- governments, businesses, citizens and grass roots organizations -- coming together to create a sustainable future for our state."
He said winners were not just taking action, "but creating innovative models for sustainable agriculture, community development, natural resources restoration, smart growth and more.”
This is the first year that citizens are allowed to make nominations. The categories include: Innovation, Community Activism and Achievement, Community Revitalization/Development/Redevelopment, Excellence in Agricultural Stewardship Award, Buy Local Agricultural Challenge, Youth Education and Awareness, School Siting/Construction/Renovation, Natural Resource Protection, Economic Development and Job Creation, Smart Moves in Transportation, and Sustainable Infrastructure/ Innovation in Stormwater Management.
For details on the nomination process and criteria go to www.green.maryland.gov.
This year's winners included:
--Tony Geraci, head of the Baltimore City public school food and nutrition services, who received the Buy Local Agricultural Challenge Award for bringing national recognition and leadership to the farm to school effort by showing that getting fresh local foods into the cafeteria can be done.
--Bill and Ann Collier, Caroline County farmers, who were selected as the Excellence in Agricultural Stewardship Award recipients in honor of their long-term, stewardship of soil, water, air, and other natural resources.
--The St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District, which was honored as the Outstanding Soil Conservation District of the Year for their superior level of service.
--Jeff and Terri King, Dorchester County farmers, who received the Smart Green and Growing Soil Conservation Districts Outstanding Cooperator of the Year Award for their dedication and participation in soil and water conservation activities on their farm, as well their strong conservation leadership in the agricultural community.
--Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who won the SGG Smart Moves Award for Baltimore City's collaboration with the Maryland Department of Transportation to complete a three-mile section of the Jones Falls Trail that connects the Woodberry Light Rail Station to Penn Station. The trail provides inter-modal connections for bicycles and pedestrians to light rail, metro and regional rail service, as well as connections to major parks and residential areas.
See more award winners here.
