Sustainable Princeton Announces Leadership Award Winners

Eight community leaders will be honored by Sustainable Princeton next week for their efforts to promote various kinds of sustainability initiatives ranging from support for fair trade practices to advocacy for bicycle safety to trail maintenance efforts.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Princeton Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

This year’s awardees represent a diverse group of individuals, nonprofits, religious institutions and businesses.

“The winners reflect the breadth of interests and approaches to sustainability that demonstrate why Princeton is emerging as a leader in the sustainability field,” Princeton Township Mayor Chad Goerner said.

The 2011 winners are:

– People for Princeton Ridge, J. Robert Hillier, and Princeton Township for their work that led to an agreement about the Princeton Ridge development.

– The Princeton Joint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee for its critical role in the decision to install sharrow markings for bicycles on Princeton roads.

– Friends of Princeton Open Space Trail Committee  for group’s efforts that included marking local trails with signs, building crossings or bridges across streams, and fixing muddy spots so parks can be enjoyed year round.

– Camila Tellez, 9th Grade Student at Stuart Country Day School, for founding Fair Trade Princeton and working to educate others about the importance of fair trade.

-The Green Sanctuary Committee and Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton for their creation of broad-based sustainability initiatives, including the installation of solar panels, energy audits, a rain garden, the use of fair trade products, and more.

– Janet Pelichero, recycling coordinator, Princeton Township for her innovative approach to recycling, including organizing New Jersey’s first curbside food waste program and many other projects that aim to increase recycling in Princeton.

– The Princeton Farmer’s Market for its support of local farms that provide fresh local produce to market visitors while creating a vibrant public gathering space.

-Charlie Yedlin, Yedlin Associates for installing a 58.4 Kw solar system on the Clock Building on Route 206 in Princeton. As of Fall 2011, the panels generated 50,000 kilowatt hours of energy.

The Sustainable Princeton Leadership Awards are sponsored by Sustainable Princeton and the Princeton Environmental Commission. For more information, contact: Diane Landis or Andrea Malcolm at 924-5366 or visit www.sustainableprinceton.org.