Politics & Government

City Council Honors Green Award Winners

The Committee for a Better Environment Selected Spellman House, Vicky Hageman, Rick Borchelt and Eric Maring as its four winners.

The winners of the 2011 College Park Green Awards were honored at Tuesday's city council meeting.

The awards were distributed in four categories: 1) Environmental 3-Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), 2) Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Beautification, 3) Conservation of Natural Resources and 4) Other Environmental Achievements.

Each winner received a $100 gift certificate to the locally-owned College Park store of their choice.

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With no further ado, here are the winners. Descriptions are courtesy of the Committee for a Better Environment:

Award for "Environmental 3-Rs: Reduce - Reuse - Recycle": Spellman House

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"Spellman House is in its second year of implementing a $1.9 million green renovation project. Last year, the building roof was replaced with highly reflective material and 50 solar panels were installed. A new natural gas furnace was installed with a 97 percent efficiency rating. Interior renovations included replacing old carpet with rubber carpeting and repainting with non-toxic paint. A walkway made of pervious crushed stone was installed around the 7,000 square foot community garden, extensive landscaping with new plant material was completed and fencing
made of recycled automotive steel was erected around the perimeter of the site. A small pergola and gazebo have been installed on the property and a larger 12’ x 16’gazebo, outdoor furniture made of recycled material and a bus shelter are planned for this spring."

Honorable Mention: Jason's Deli

Award for Conservation of Natural Resources: Vicky Hageman

"For many years, Vicky has been a tireless volunteer for Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC), working diligently in every way to protect Indian Creek between Beltsville and Greenbelt, which, of course, includes College Park. (Indian Creek runs to the East of Lake Artemesia.)

In addition to helping to coordinate and participating in all cleanups, she interacts with County officials when she identifies businesses that are breaking environmental laws (such as dumping into the creek). The College Park Committee for a Better Environment has partnered with CCRIC, at Vicky's request, to begin the
process of placing placards on storm drains to educate citizens about the need to not throw trash etc. in the drains because they lead to our waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Vicky is a devoted environmentalist who has chosen this as her 'mission.'"

Award for Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Beautification:
Rick Borchelt

"On Drexel Road where many residences are beautifully landscaped and well maintained, 4602 stands out.

Rick Borchelt has used his knowledge of botany and his love of gardening to turn his yard into a quintessential cottage garden. As one walks the stone path to the front entrance, one is greeted by a seasonal display of plants, many of which are heirloom varieties. There are roses, spring bulbs, flowering shrubs, wonderfully scented lavenders, rosemarys and other herbs and a plethora of perennials, including hollyhocks, peonies, bergamots and coneflowers.

With his expertise in horticulture, Rick has created a garden that is both appealing and environmentally friendly. The yard is registered as a National Wildlife Habitat and a Certified Butterfly Garden. No mowing is necessary and the focus on native plants and those suited to this region makes the use of even benign herbicides and insecticides minimal.

Lastly, Rick is gracious in sharing gardening knowledge (and sometimes plants) with the neighbors."

Award for Other Environmental Achievements: Eric Maring

"In 'Sing to the Heart of the Earth,' College Park resident, Eric Maring performs songs of environmental awareness for elementary school children. Songs such as "The earth is our home" and "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" send clear messages to children about doing their part to protect our earth and educate others (see video link below).

Eric is well known by children in the College Park community as 'Mr. M.' Among the many places where he teaches music classes for young people and their families are through College Park Arts Exchange, the Center for Young Children, the Levine School of Music, and he performs at local festivals including Maryland Day.

All of Eric's music is infused with themes of social justice, environmental
education, and healthy living."


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