Mark Manning, Greenwood Elementary School and Princetel, Inc. were honored by Hamilton officials as the first-ever recipients of the township’s Environmental Awards.
Unveiled around Earth Day earlier in the year, the awards program was announced by Mayor Kelly Yaede and Hamilton’s Environmental Commission as a way to recognize residents, businesses and organizations that implemented a project or program that has improved sustainability or the local environment.
“Not only is the program a great way to acknowledge those who are working to improve our local environment, but it also helps to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability efforts,” Yaede said. “I want to congratulate our inaugural class of award recipients, which I know will stand as an example to our entire community to encourage future efforts to improve the sustainability of Hamilton Township for the benefit of future generations.”
Manning received an award in the Resident Category for his efforts in performing extensive inventories of Hamilton’s bird, amphibian and wildlife in township parks, including Sayen Botanical Gardens and Veterans Park. The inventories greatly contributed to Hamilton’s Environmental Resource Inventory.
Princetel, Inc. was recognized in the Business Category for its many sustainability efforts. The Hamilton-headquartered fiber-optic company purchased and remediated a brownfield property into a LEED Certified Platinum standard facility, thanks to several sustainability efforts. Additionally, the company offers employees incentives for to use more environmentally-friendly modes of transportation to work, as well as a bonus towards the purchase of low emission vehicles.
Greenwood Elementary School received the School Category award thanks to efforts such as starting a Renaissance Committee that conducted a grounds cleanup and landscape enhancement initiative. The school also started the Greenwood Garden Club to encourage student participation with nature and the land.
From left: Christopher Manning, Mark Manning (Residential Category Award Winner), Barry Zhang, President and CEO of Princetel, Inc. (Business Category Award Winner), Dayna Kowalski of Greenwood Elementary School (School Category Award Winner), Richard Watson, Director of the Hamilton Township Department of Water Pollution Control and Environmental Commission Administrative Liaison, Crystal James of Greenwood Elementary School (School Category Award Winner), Laura Palumbo of Greenwood Elementary School (School Category Award Winner), Councilman David Kenny (Environmental Commission Council Liaison) and Mayor Kelly Yaede.,
