BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley nonprofit has won an award for its work protecting water and natural resources across the region and in the Poconos.
The Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley was among the half-dozen winners of this year’s Environmental Partnership Awards.
Coordinated through the Northeast Environmental Partners and in its 35th year, the award aims to recognize outstanding environmental initiatives in northeast Pennsylvania.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive the award, although really all the credit for conservation work done in the Poconos goes to the volunteers on the ground who DO the work.”Rebecca Hayden, Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley president
“The WCLV itself did not apply for this award — the three watershed groups in the Poconos did the application without any input from us,” WCLV President Rebecca Hayden said.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive the award, although really all the credit for conservation work done in the Poconos goes to the volunteers on the ground who DO the work.”
The coalition, as well as the other winners, will receive their awards at the Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on Oct. 23 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains, Luzerne County.
Resources, financial tools, networking
The WCLV has been active in the region since the late 1990s, starting as the nonprofit Green Valley Coalition before reorganizing and renaming the group in 2009.
“The overall purpose of the WCLV is to bring together the 15 or so regional watershed associations, from the northern Poconos down into central Bucks County, to provide resources, materials, financial tools and networking,” Hayden said.
“No one needs to reinvent the wheel, and groups can share commonly needed tools for planting and project maintenance.”
The organization also helps watershed groups with financial management, she said.
“Since most grants are reimbursement grants, not all watershed groups have enough funds in the bank to pay for projects up-front and then get repaid,” Hayden said.
“And some groups do not have volunteers who feel comfortable with project management either, if that isn't in their wheelhouse.”
The project earmarked to be highlighted at the award dinner is a bog trail installed in the Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Watershed on the grounds of the Pocono Mountain School District.
It was paid for by a Pocono Forest and Watershed grant, private foundation fundraising and the watershed association, among other funds.
In the past year, the WCLV has worked, or is currently working on, conservation projects in Walnutport, Lower Saucon and Hanover townships, as well as Chestnuthill Township in Monroe County, Hayden said.
A key partner in the creation of the Penn State Master Watershed Steward program, the WCLV also facilitates educational programs and hosts the Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference.
This year’s conference will be Oct. 14 at Lehigh University.
‘A proud tradition’
The Environmental Partnership Awards were created more than three decades ago as an effort to highlight the often unrecognized work of conservationists and volunteers, Janet Sweeney, vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, said.
“Today, the awards remain a proud tradition, celebrating the collaborative efforts of those who protect the environment, improve our quality of life, educate our communities and inspire future generations towards environmental stewardship."Janet Sweeney, vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
“Today, the awards remain a proud tradition, celebrating the collaborative efforts of those who protect the environment, improve our quality of life, educate our communities and inspire future generations toward environmental stewardship,” she said.
“The Northeast Environmental Partnership Awards is one of northeastern Pennsylvania’s longest running and most respected environmental recognition programs.
"The awards highlight the achievements of individuals, organizations, businesses and projects that have made significant contributions to environmental protection and conservation in the region.”
It’s coordinated through the Northeast Environmental Partners, which includes: state departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co. and Wilkes University.
“The awards celebrate the power of collaboration and partnership,” Sweeney said.
“Each year, honorees are selected for their ability to build effective partnerships that protect natural resources, improve quality of life, and serve as models for others.
"To date, more than 250 individuals and organizations representing a variety of non-profits, business, educational institutions and local governments have been recognized with this award.”
The WCLV is among six groups to win this year’s Environmental Partnership Awards.
Others are: Back Mountain Bloomers Garden Club and Crestwood Enviro Club, Luzerne County; Friends of Salt Springs Park, Susquehanna County; Lackawanna State Park Trail Crew; and Pennsylvania American Water’s Wonderful World of Water Camp in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
In addition, two Lackawanna County residents are earmarked to receive individual awards.
The 2025 Emerging Environmental Leader Award will be presented to Jordon Wagner, and the 31st Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award will be presented to John Maday.
For more information, go to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s website.
