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The Environmental Excellence award was established in memory of
former Calabasas Environmental Commissioner, Carl Gibbs, an advocate
for protecting the environment, preserving natural resources and
educating youth. The award is a symbol of commitment to California’s
environment and honors a wide array of individuals, businesses,
municipalities, government agencies, organizations, and
institutions. The Award recognizes voluntary activities by companies
and organizations, big or small, private or non-profit, in the City
of Calabasas and in California that result in cleaner air or water,
less waste, less traffic, conservation of energy and natural
resources, efficient and water conserving landscaping, and reduced
use of hazardous materials.
The
Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award Nomination Form
Recipients of 2012
Car Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Left to right: Karen Brown, Woodland Hills Women’s Club,
Ms. Sandy Duncan, Teacher at A.C. Stelle Middle School,
Ms. Glenn Ellis, Shadow Oaks Wildlife Center
The Calabasas Environmental Commission
gave recognition to two people and a club for their commitment to
the environment at the annual Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence
Award ceremony on February 9, 2012.
Founded in 1948, the Woodland Hills
Woman’s Club is made up of women who are interested in promoting
education, social welfare, medical research and the betterment of
their community, country and the world. The Woodland Hills
Woman’s Club (WHWC) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization
comprised of women who are interested in promoting education, social
welfare, medical research and the betterment of their community,
state, country and the world. One of the programs that the club has
supported for many years is the Penny Pines Plantations for
California Reforestation Program. At the club’s monthly meetings,
collection cans are put out at each table. The monthly collections
for one year plus a club donation totaled $680 – enough money to
purchase 10 acres of trees through the USDA Forest Service. With yet
another year of wildfires and the dying of diseased or old trees,
the WHWC feels that this is an important program to support. The
ladies feel that supporting the reforestation program is important
because it helps replant forests which supply homes for wildlife,
stabilize land, control erosion from wind/rain, transform CO2 into
oxygen, act as a natural “A/C” system for the earth plus, creates a
really beautiful place to hike and camp.
Ms. Sandy Duncan, a teacher at
A.C. Stelle Middle School, was nominated by the commission in
recognition of her commitment to enhance the environment and promote
recycling among her students. Ms. Duncan has taught in Las Virgenes
schools since 1979. She has been teaching at A.C. Stelle since it
opened eight years ago. Many of her students participated in 2012
Recycling Drawing Contest and 8 out of 14 winners of the 2011
contest were her students. The plaque was presented to her “In
recognition of her commitment to enhance the environment as
demonstrated by her efforts to promote the education of resource
conservation and recycling at A. C. Stelle Middle School.” Ms.
Duncan thanked the commission for the acknowledgement. “Sometimes I
learn as much from my students as they learn from me,” she said.
“Young people are perceptive and passionate about what they do.
Recycling has become a way of life for them”, said Ms. Duncan.
Wildlife in an urban environment
sometimes needs human help to survive. Thanks to the internet and
better educated public and state agencies, wildlife babies can now
go to a trained rehabber working under a permit from the Department
of Fish and Game. Ms. Glenn Ellis started volunteering weekly
at the California Wildlife Center (CWC) in 2003, transferring into
their satellite homecare program in 2004. For the past seven years,
she has been a satellite under the director (who is licensed by the
Department of Fish and Game) of Shadow Oaks Wildlife Care, which
deals strictly with mammals that can be cared for in each rehabber’s
home. Glenn is 1 of 10 satellites, located from the SF Valley thru
Malibu and up to Ojai. In fall of 2011, Glenn trained 3 new
volunteers, including another member of WHWC, to help with the
feeding and care of baby mammals. In 2011 over 277 baby squirrels
passed through Ms. Glenn’s care. They were stabilized, grouped and
then transferred to other Shadow Oaks’ rehabbers. Glenn continuously
had between 15 and 30 babies being syringe fed 5 times/day. The
really tiny ones stay with Glenn who is willing to do the 6
times/day feedings. The busiest months are March and September. Once
the squirrels come in, it takes 2-3 months to ready them for release
back into the wild. Glenn also cared for baby raccoons and a West
Valley Animal Shelter confiscated adult squirrel that needed to be
taught how to be a squirrel since it had been raised by humans and
had never before seen another squirrel and, therefore, was not wild
enough to survive until taught how to do so.
2010 Award Recipients
The Calabasas
Environmental Commission recently presented the 2010 Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award to four entities in four different
categories. The 2010 honorees are California Recycles, Inc. in the
category of recycling and waste reduction; Teens Against Toxin, in
the category of Public Health; Tree People, in the category of
Restoration; and Lupin Hill Elementary School Beautification/Green
Team in the category of education and outreach. During the ceremony,
a representative of California State Senator Fran Pavley presented a
certificate of appreciation to all recipients.
California Recycles, Inc. has provided excellent service to many
communities above and beyond their contractual obligations to local
jurisdiction by collecting several hundred thousands of electronics
in annual bases and by providing customer service to businesses that
need a local company to dispose of their electronic waste.
California Recycles also provide round ups at schools and community
events in various areas within Los Angeles County.
Teen Against Toxins is a non-profit organization dedicated to
environmental clean-up. This group has worked tirelessly to raise
awareness of the radioactive and chemical contamination at the Santa
Susana Field Lab.
Tree people is a non-profit organization that provides education,
materials and resources to capture, reuse and preserve natural
resources. This organization trains and supports communities on how
best to plant and care for trees and work with government agencies
on critical groundwater supply issues.
Lupin Hill Beautification/Green Team is a group of parents, teachers
and staff at Lupin Hill Elementary School in Calabasas that have
worked tirelessly to educate students on benefits of recycling,
especially during lunch time. They have raised fund to make the
school a more beautiful place for kids by placing artificial turf in
playgrounds, reducing waste, and promoting awareness in conservation
of natural resources.
The 2010 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was presented to
the following individuals during the
February 8, 2011 Environmental Commission Meeting:
Lupin Hill Beautification/Green Team, Teens Against Toxins, Tree
People & California Recycles, Inc. Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Recycling and Waste Reduction
Presented
to California Recycles, Inc.
California Recycles, Inc. has provided excellent service
to many communities above and beyond their contractual
obligations to local jurisdiction by collecting several
hundred thousands of electronics in annual bases and by
providing customer service to businesses that need a
local company to dispose of their electronic waste.
California Recycles also provide round ups at schools
and community events in various areas within Los Angeles
County. Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Restoration
Presented
to Tree People
Tree
People is a non-profit organization that provides
education, materials and resources to capture, reuse and
preserve natural resources. This organization trains and
supports communities on how best to plant and care for
trees and work with government agencies on critical
groundwater supply issues.
Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Public Health
Presented
to Teens Against Toxins
Teens
Against Toxins is a non-profit organization dedicated to
environmental clean-up. This group has worked tirelessly
to raise awareness of the radioactive and chemical
contamination at the Santa Susana Field Lab.
Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Education and Outreach
Presented to Lupin Hill Beautification/Green Team
Lupin
Hill Beautification/Green Team is a group of parents,
teachers and staff at Lupin Hill Elementary School in
Calabasas that have worked tirelessly to educate
students on benefits of recycling, especially during
lunch time. They have raised fund to make the school a
more beautiful place for kids by placing artificial turf
in playgrounds, reducing waste, and promoting awareness
in conservation of natural resources.
2009 Award Recipients and the
Calabasas
Environmental Commission
The 2009 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was presented to
the following individuals during the
January 5, 2010 Environmental
Commission Meeting:
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Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award -
Water Conservation Category
Presented
to Mr. Charles Caspary, President of the Board of Directors of
the
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD)
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During his tenure at the Water District, Charles Caspary has
demonstrated a high level of commitment to customers within
LVMWD's service area. His leadership regarding water
supplies, local, state, and national water issues, water
conservation, and water policies has been a strong force in
determining LVMWD's course during the past nine years.
During the current water shortage, Mr. Caspary has actively
participated at community workshops and public outreach
events, speaking with customers about the difficult
decisions necessary to address the water shortage. He has
shared his environmental commitment not only with residents
and community leaders but with students participating in
LVMWD's Environmental Water Science Workshops, for local
high school participants, sharing his philosophies on
conservation and demonstrating environmental practices. His
presence at these sessions has been a highlight for the
students and his enthusiasm is contagious. As president of
LVMWD's board during the District's celebration year of 50
years of service to the community, Mr. Caspary recognized
many outstanding citizens and businesses for their
commitment to water conservation and leadership.
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award -
Education and Recycling Category
Presented to
Ms. Marilyn Fine, Art Teacher at Lindero Canyon Middle School
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As an art teacher, Marilyn Fine is committed to not only sharing
her love of art with her students but also encouraging them to
use their creativity in order to make a difference in the
community and their own future. Throughout her years at Lindero
Canyon Middle School, she has presented her young artists with
projects that teach them about the environment and convey a
message to those that view the art. She has used clay to design
ceramic pots on which the students sculpted and carved images
about water conservation, protecting our oceans, saving
electricity, protecting animal life, and the issue of global
warming. When the pots were completed they planted seeds and
watched their efforts blossom. The Calabasas Recycling Calendar
is another way to demonstrate the importance of recycling and to
encourage others to participate throughout the year. Her
students have entered the past two years, and she’s convinced
that creating visual interpretations of the theme is a valuable
lesson for them and anyone who uses the calendar. Whether it
was paper recycling in 2009 and food waste recycling for the
2010 calendar, her middle school students realized their art can
make a difference. Yet in doing art they go through a lot of
paper, and so they are continually recycling paper at school.
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award -
Environmental Health Category
Presented
Ms. Robina Suwol, Founder and Executive Director of
California Safe Schools
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Robina Suwol is the Founder and Executive Director of
California Safe Schools (CSS), a
celebrated children's environmental
health and environmental justice
non-profit coalition of over fifty organizations located in
Southern California committed to
the health and safety of children, staff and community members
who reside near school sites. CSS is internationally recognized
for spearheading the most stringent pesticide policy in the
nation at Los Angeles Unified School
District (2nd largest in the nation). This
policy called Integrated Pest
Management Policy (IPM), uses low risk methods
to eliminate pest and weeds. The policy was the first in the
United States to embrace the
Precautionary Principle and Parents Right to Know about
pesticides used on school campuses. Today it has become the
model for school districts and communities internationally.
October 6, 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 405
(Montanez) sponsored by California Safe Schools. This law closes
a loophole protecting more than 6 million California K-12
public school students, and
hundreds of thousands of teachers and school employees from
exposure to experimental pesticides whose health effects are
unknown. Ms. Suwol gives frequent presentations on safety to
parents, students, school officials & legislators.
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The 2008 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was presented to
the following individuals during the February 3, 2009 Environmental
Commission Meeting:
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Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to the Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley
(Represented by Victoria Garcia)
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In recognition
of their commitment to protect the environment, preserve the
wildlife, recycle solid waste and clean-up creeks, that has been
demonstrated in their tireless effort and active participation
in community events. |
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Cindy Kamin-Brenek,
Teacher at Castlebay Lane Elementary School
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In recognition
of her commitment to enhance the environment which has been
demonstrated by her tireless efforts to promote education of
resource conservation and recycling at Castlebay Lane Elementary
School. |
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to the California Wildlife Center
(Represented by Victoria Harris)
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In recognition
of their commitment to protect wildlife through rescuing,
treating and reintroducing injured animals into the wild and to
educate the public about the risks that animals face in urban
environment. |
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Aerospace Cancer Museum
(Represented by William Bowling & Christina Walsh)
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In recognition
of their commitment to raise awareness about the serious impacts
to the environment and public health from nuclear and aerospace
operations.
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Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Cornell Preservation Organization
(Represented by Collen Diane Holmes)
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In recognition of their commitment
to protect the environment and to restore and clean-up creeks
and canyons. |
The 2007 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was presented to
the following individuals during the February 5, 2008 Environmental
Commission Meeting:
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Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Mr. David Brown |
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In recognition of his
commitment to enhance the environment which has been
demonstrated by advocating policies and plans for wildlife
protection, the preservation of oak trees, creeks and riparian
habitat, the acquisition and maintenance of open space and the
development of real property in Calabasas.
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Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Ms. Trisha Naomi Kane |
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In recognition of her commitment
to enhance the environment which has been demonstrated by her
tireless efforts to promote education of resource conservation
and recycling at A.E. Wright Middle School and especially to
special need students. |
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Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Presented to Dr. Randal Orton |
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In recognition of his
commitment to enhance the environment which has been
demonstrated by his innovation and dedication to applied science
in the quest to improve the base of knowledge and conditions
found in the Malibu Creek Watershed. |
The 2006 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award was presented to
the Peters family for their dedication to the streams, trees and
natural beauty found throughout the community.
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Environmental
Excellence Award |
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Presented to
John, Laura, Hana, Claire and Rebecca Peters
in recognition of their commitment to enhance the environment which has
been demonstrated by their devotion of hundreds of hours in community
projects,such as habitat restoration and youth naturalist programs.
Environmental Commission
February 6, 2007
(Click here for the Press
Release) |
The 2005 Carl Gibbs
Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Debbie O'Hare
Bruschaber.
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Environmental
Excellence Award |
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Presented to
Debra O'Hare Brushaber
In recognition of her commitment to enhance the environment which has
been demonstrated by her years of outstanding efforts in working to
acquire, enhance and protect Headwaters Corner and to preserve open
space and develop public trails in the City of Calabasas.
Environmental Commission
January 3, 2006
(Click here for the Press
Release) |
For additional
information, please contact:
City of Calabasas
100 Civic Center Way
Calabasas, CA 91302-3172
Attn: Alex Farassati
Phone: (818) 224-1600 |
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