2003 EPA Award
 

This isn't exactly art-related, but I was invited to NYC last Thursday (the 24th) to receive a 2003 EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Award in the individuals category for thirty years of work in conservation. I was flabbergasted to find I'd even been nominated.

Since my portrait backgrounds tend to celebrate people's physical environments, perhaps this isn't entirely off topic.:D

Leslie,

That's wonderful! Congratulations to you too. I do not know about this organization. How did you get involved in it and how did you contribute to their cause? If it is not art related and the moderators feel it should not be posted here please send me a private message. I would love to hear about your involvement.

Enzie, the Environmental Quality Award is given by the federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in a number of categories, including nonprofit groups, educators, business representatives, government officials, media representatives, and individuals for "outstanding efforts to improve the environment." You have to be nominated for this, and letters from other people or agencies have to support the nomination.

I had picked up the mail one Friday in early April and noticed the letter from the EPA, which looked like some sort of generic notice. So I opened it idly while I was in the car-line waiting to pick up my little granddaughter at school. I was so astonished when I read it that I didn't know what to do; my husband was in the woods working on a new driveway so I knew he wouldn't get the phone but I had to share it with someone. And I was aware that it wouldn't mean a whole lot to a six-year-old. Finally I called my sister in NYC on my cell phone to tell her. Since the ceremony was in NY anyway at the EPA offices, she got to come watch.

Anyway, it was definitely a thrill of a lifetime, about on a par with getting to paint the governor (there, I brought it back to art!)

Good for you. It is nice to see someone out there takes note of what you do amd appreciates your efforts.