County Executive's Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award

In 1998 Rockland County established the County Executive Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award to recognize individuals for their contributions & achievements in preserving the County’s natural resources.

The County Executive's Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award recognizes environmental volunteers who care for our parks, champion our watershed programs, encourage waste reduction, and enhance the beauty of Rockland's natural environment.

To be eligible to receive the award an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a Rockland County resident. Individuals who have been nominated in the past, but not chosen, are eligible to be re-nominated.

The nomination period for 2025 is now closed. County Executive Day will honor this year's winner during a tree dedication ceremony at Kennedy Dells Park on Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 at 11 am. 

The 2024 recipient was Carolyn Hill for her volunteer work on Turtles of Western Highway! To learn more about the Carolyn's recognition ceremony, click on the following link: 2024 Press Release. 

Examples of Activities Performed by Previous Winners

• Monitoring local wildlife
• Creating place-based art and science programming
• Keeping roadways and parks free of litter and trash
• Creating and expanding parks and preserves
• Protecting environmentally sensitive wetlands and woods
• Researching and advocating for water quality
• Bridging diverse points of view on environmental issues
• Promoting sustainability
• Advancing reduction, reuse, and recycling
• Founding and leading environmental action committees and coalitions
• Reducing school bus idling to protect young lungs
• Developing an integrated pest management program
• Serving on the County’s Environmental Management Council

Previous Winners

• 2024 - Carolyn Hill
• 2023 - Jacob Tanenbaum 
• 2022 - Harriet D. Cornell
• 2021 - Gale Pisha
• 2020 - Tim Sanders
• 2019 - Margie Turrin
• 2018 - Laurie Seeman
• 2017 - John LaPlaca
• 2016 - Martus Granire
• 2015 - Grace Meyer
• 2014 - Deborah Munitz
• 2013 - Peggy Kurtz
• 2012 - George Potanovic, Jr.
• 2011 - Bill Baker
• 2010 - Patsy Wooters
• 2009 - Alberto Baruffi
• 2008 - Catherine Dodge
• 2007 - Jean and Robert Nelson
• 2006 - S.Hazard Gillespie
• 2005 - Dr. Constantine Gletsos
• 2004 - Charles Schwep
• 2003 - Betty Hedges
• 2002 - Zipporah Fleisher
• 2001 - Colleen and Harold Leidy
• 2000 - George Zoebelein
• 1999 - Geoffrey Welch
• 1998 - Diane Gruskin