Cultivating a Better Environment for the Future

At the 42nd conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) this past February, the presentation ceremony for the Awards of Environmental Excellence was held. For the past 20 years, IECA has recognized the industry’s best by awarding persons and projects epitomizing the principles of environmental excellence.

Highest Honors
The Environmental Achievement Award is IECA’s premier award. This year, the award was presented to the Hume Highway Woomargama Alliance. The Environmental Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding erosion and/or sediment control project, program, or system that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection. Courtney Hoops, alliance manager for the Hume Highway Woomargama Alliance, accepted the award at the presentation ceremony. Hoops had this to say of the honor: “We are particularly excited to be recognized by IECA for the environmental management on our project. This project team has been remarkable in its strong desire to innovate, and its commitment to deliver truly outstanding environmental outcomes has seen erosion and sediment control measures, amongst other environment and sustainability initiatives, widely commended-even in the face of nearly record-breaking rainfall. Winning an award of this caliber, in an area of our work that is of critical importance to us and our businesses, is something we are all very proud of.”

Sustained Contributor
Doug Wimble, CPESC, was awarded the Sustained Contributor Award. This award recognizes an IECA member who has provided distinguished service to IECA and has made outstanding contributions to improve the erosion and sediment control industry over a sustained period of time. Wimble first joined IECA in 1979 and has volunteered in a number of capacities including serving as President of IECA’s Board of Directors from 2004-2007.

Excellence in Education
The Educational Achievement Award was presented to the North Carolina State University Departments of Soil Science and Biological and Agricultural Engineering. This award recognizes an outstanding training program, public program, university program of study, or tool used within the industry that demonstrates advancement in erosion and sediment control education based on experience and factual knowledge.

North Carolina State University was honored for the development of a highly integrated research and education program over the past decade. The program currently includes trainings ranging from hands-on installation of standard practices to the full design of erosion, sediment, and turbidity control systems. Accepting the award for North Carolina State was Rich McLaughlin.

The 2011 Most Distinguished Technical Paper Award was presented to David Todd, CPESC, for his paper, A Thousand Little Treatment Plants: A Processed Based Design Approach to Structural BMPs. This award recognizes those presenters who have demonstrated excellence within the content of their Environmental Connection conference technical presentations.

Also recognized at the presentation ceremony was Dwayne Stenlund, MS, CPESC, CPRM, winner of the 2010 Presenter of the Year Award for his presentation Concrete Management Best Practices in Minnesota at Environmental Connection 2010 in Dallas, TX.

Future of the Industry
Jason Lederer, CPESC, LEED AP, was recognized with the Young Professional Award. This award recognizes an IECA member who is 30 years of age or less, has demonstrated excellent work in the industry, and is viewed by his or her IECA peers as an emerging industry leader through significant engagement with IECA. Lederer has been involved with IECA for over three years and currently is serving on the Northeast Chapter of IECA’s Board of Directors as a Representative-At-Large. Jason has also presented at numerous IECA conferences including IECA’s annual conference, Environmental Connection, and regional events.

IECA Awards Committee Chair Sandy Mathews, CPESC, had this to say of the awards program winners: “The Awards Committee was delighted to be challenged by the set of excellent nominations we received. These award winners showcase the best of our industry. The awards process will remain the same for next year’s awards, and I encourage you to consider nominating a person, organization, or project that is doing excellent work.”