Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan (left) presents an environmental stewardship award to Will Dockery during the city’s Earth Day Celebration held Saturday, April 20 at the Marion Orton Recycling Center. (City of Fayetteville)The city this week announced the recipients of the mayor’s annual environmental stewardship awards.
The awards recognize excellence in sustainable practices, programs or projects undertaken by community members, nonprofit organizations, small businesses or educators that reside or work in Fayetteville.
This year’s individual winner is Will Dockery, a member of the Urban Forestry Advisory Board who worked on amendments to the city’s tree and landscape codes to increase tree protections and strengthen landscaping standards. Dockery was also responsible for the development and implementation of the city’s invasive species “bounty” program, and officials said his advocacy for Lewis Park was instrumental in its preservation.
Butterfield Trail Village won the nonprofit category. Two of the community’s residents – Dennis Nelson and Roy Penny – expanded the retirement community’s recycling program and formed a steering committee to engage residents and develop and test new recycling collection methods.
The community initiative award went to the Pick Me Up program, which included a partnership between the city and Genesis Church to develop a litter abatement and bridge-to-work program that employs members of the unsheltered community to clean trails around Fayetteville.
The young innovators award was given to the Fayetteville High School Eco-Fashion Club which educates the school and community on sustainable clothing and housewares, and how “fast fashion” has negative impacts on the environment.
For more info or to see past winners, visit fayetteville-ar.gov/4325/Environmental-Stewardship-Awards.
