FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2015
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645

TREE PLANTING AT KENNEDY DELLS PARK HONORS WINNER OF 18TH ANNUAL OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER AWARD

Prestigious Award Presented In Honor Of Earth Day 

NEW CITY, NY --  Rockland County Executive Ed Day today dedicated a Serviceberry tree at Kennedy Dells County Park in New City in recognition of Orangeburg resident Grace Meyer, recipient of the 2015 County Executive's Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award.

As a 31-year veteran of the Rockland County Environmental Management Council, Meyer has been a driving force behind local efforts to safeguard the county's landscape and water resources and raise awareness of our need for a healthy environment.

"Today we honor Grace Meyer for her lifelong commitment to our environment," said County Executive Day. "It's important that we recognize the people that work so hard to protect our natural resources, while also teaching others about sustainability. The better we take care of our environment, the better our quality of life, which directly impacts how Rockland County families live, work and play."

Meyer was involved with the Rockland County Household Hazardous Waste collection project and other early "green" initiatives to improve the quality of life for local residents.  Her outstanding volunteer service, as well as her advocacy for Rockland's flora and fauna, also includes her longtime service as a judge for the county's annual Eleanor Burlingham Fifth Grade Environmental Essay Contest.

Among her chief environmental concerns is the protection and preservation of the Piermont Marsh. A former village resident, Meyer was a charter member of the Piermont Conservation Advisory Commission, the first CAC in Rockland County.  As a village board member, her leadership efforts were instrumental in the inclusion of the Piermont Marsh in the National Estuarine Sanctuary Program.  Meyer was also a founding member of the Estuarine Advisory Committee.

Meyer has led nature walks and participated in canoe tours of the Piermont Marsh to educate the public of its environmental significance. She regularly attends meetings with local leaders to discuss ways to preserve the Hudson River marshland in Rockland County.

Grace Meyer began serving the public with distinction in 1967 at the Pearl River Public Library. In 1969, she was named Director of the Piermont Public Library and held that position for 35 years.

Said County Executive Day, "The strength and power of our county depends on our environment.  Grace Meyer's vision and dedication have helped to keep our county economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable."

Meyer's name will be added to a plaque featuring previous environmental award recipients and displayed in the County Executive's Office.

Past award winners include Deborah Munitz, Peggy Kurtz, George Potanovic, Jr., Bill Baker, Patsy Wooters, Alberto Baruffi, Catherine Dodge, Jeanne and Robert Nelson, S. Hazard Gillespie, Dr. Constantine Gletsos, Charles Schwep, Betty Hedges, Zipporah Fleisher, Colleen and Harold Leidy, George Zoebelein, Geoffrey Welch and Diane Gruskin.