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Our 2024 Fall Awards Celebration was held on Wednesday, September 18, at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Individuals, community groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and volunteers from across the Miami Valley came together to honor the hard work or our region’s distinguished environmental leaders. Attendees enjoyed a delightful selection of food & drinks and engaged with inspiring presentations by award winners and their nominators. We also had the pleasure of introducing the 2024-25 Environmental Leaders Program cohort and providing an annual update on the goals and achievements of the Greater Dayton Partners for the Environment. With a strong sense of comradery and enthusiasm throughout the evening, it was truly a night to remember! Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice, located in Yellow Springs, was honored for their success leading the Regenerative Pathways to Equity and Conservation for BIPOC Farmers project. Included in the project is the Regenerative Farmer Fellowship, which has equipped farmers with skills in regenerative agriculture, provided hands-on training, and fostered leadership within the farming community. George Bieri, retired employee with Glen Helen Nature Preserve and Tecumseh Land Trust’s first Monitor of Protected Properties, with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to environmental stewardship, land restoration, and philosophy by overseeing the management of hundreds of acres of hardwood forest at Glen Helen Nature Preserve and thousands of acres of associated with Tecumseh Land Trust. Jim Schneider with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 35 years of dedication to creating accessible natural areas for conservation and recreation in the Dayton region. He led the development of over two dozen parks and contributed to numerous trail and park projects, including the acclaimed Little Miami Scenic Trail. He has continued pursing his passion by working closely with Beaver Creek Wetlands Association and serving as the organization’s President from 2015-2018. Charlie Shoemaker, who served 33 years with Five Rivers MetroParks, including 9 as Executive Director, and is now the President of the Friends of Aullwood, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the park system. His key achievements include creating the Riverscape Pavillion, renovating Hills and Dales MetroPark, introducing mountain biking to Huffman MetroPark, and founding the Second Street Market. Michelle Comer, Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves Manager, with the Individual of the Year Award for her tireless land stewardship efforts across several counties, including invasive species removals, river cleanups, and collaborations with Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association (ONAPA). Old North Dayton Neighborhood Association & McCook Field Neighborhood Association with the Sustainable Community of the Year Award for their resiliency over the past few decades as they have recovered from devasting impacts of superfund sites through collaborations with the Ohio EPA and educational community outreach initiatives. They have created a model for sustainability that has demonstrated the true power of community in overcoming environmental and social hardships. Sponsors of this year’s event include: The Dayton Foundation, Greater Dayton Conservation Fund, Three Valley Conservation Trust, Hanley Sustainability Institute (University of Dayton), Brukner Nature Center, Miami Conservancy District, and Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.
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