Daily Acts Voted Outstanding Environmental Education Program by Sonoma County environmentalists.
The Sonoma County Conservation Council, the Sierra Club, Sonoma Group and more than 170 activists gathered Saturday night at the Sebastopol Veterans Auditorium to honor individuals and local programs working to protect the environment. Daily Acts of Petaluma named the Outstanding Environmental Education Program.
Daily Acts was nominated by Amie Glass of the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy: “In 2009 Daily Acts succeeded in getting their sustainability message beyond the typical environmentalist circle and onto the campuses of two city halls in Sonoma County- Petaluma and Cotati. In doing so, Daily Acts empowered hundreds of community members and government representatives to create green and edible landscaping – a message that is now not only getting widespread publicity but also getting systemic support in these communities! Daily Acts’ mission is to transform our communities through inspired action and education which builds leadership and local self-reliance. Since their founding in 2002, Daily Acts has provided environmental education for tens of thousands of individuals through 91 workshops, 85 tours and events, 191 presentations, 21 publications, and 130 media pieces. Daily Acts educates the public about self-reliance through greywater and rainwater catchment, water conservation, growing and processing food, natural and green building, and small scale animal husbandry. These programs empower individuals and households to reduce their ecological footprint, pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use, to preserve healthy soil and habitat, and to connect with nature.”
All nomination statements can found at www.envirocentersoco.org/awards
Event Details
Turning The Tide with Local Water Solutions was the theme of the 34th annual Sonoma County Environmental Awards Dinner. Guest speaker Brock Dolman, the dynamic Director of Occidental Art and Ecology Center’s Water Institute, addressed local urban initiatives, agricultural conservation, our new gray water regulations and groundwater preservation. Evelina Molina of Youth Green Jobs was the MC. The Watershedders, led by Craig Anderson of LandPaths, provided the lively background music, and the sumptuous vegetarian meal was prepared by award winning A La Heart Catering. Sixteen environmental groups took part in the showcase.
The awards were presented by Rohnert Park Councilmember Jake Mackenzie assisted by Ms. Molina and Portia Sinnott, Chair of the Awards Committee. Also in attendance were Santa Rosa City Councilmembers Veronica Jacobi and Marsha Vas Dupre, Sebastopol Mayor Sarah Gurney and Councilmember Linda Kelly, Windsor City Councilmember Debora Fudge and Healdsburg City Councilmember Mike McGuire. A number of candidates also attended the dinner: Chris Mazzia who is running for Sonoma County Superior Court Judge, Lee Pierce for the seventh Assembly District seat and Jill Ravitch for District Attorney, plus the fore mentioned Debora Fudge and Mike McGuire who are running for the District 4 Supervisor seat, and Councilwoman Veronica Jacobi who is running for reelection in Santa Rosa. The award certificates were provided by the staff of Supervisors Carrillo and Zane, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Senator Pat Wiggins and Assembly Members Noreen Evans, Mark Leno, Jared Huffman and Wes Chesbro.
A zero waste event, the event was produced by Green Synergy, a local green event team led by Portia Sinnott and Wendy Krupnick assisted by Diana Nasser and Joni Goshorn.