PINE JOG ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION CENTER’S
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Pine Jog’s First Annual Environmental Leadership Awards Program
This award is given to an educator either in the formal or non-formal setting
that provides quality environmental education to their students. This educator
increases their students’ awareness and knowledge of environmental issues,
provides opportunities to actively engage their learners in environmental
stewardship, and promotes the development of positive attitudes towards the
environment.
This award is given to an organization which has a mission to serve, protect and
educate the public about the environment and who has demonstrated exemplary
innovation, resourcefulness, leadership and a commitment to helping solve South
Florida’s environmental issues through public education and action.
This business/non-profit should demonstrate their commitment to our environment
by upholding innovative, ambitious and effective initiatives for achieving
environmental sustainability, and implementing everyday sustainable business
practices in the workplace. This business should also incorporate strong
environmental values within all of its long-term decision making and management
of business and facilities.
This award recognizes an individual for their innovative and forward thinking
towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly South Florida. This
person takes the initiative to put in place new policies or practices within
their community. The Environmental Visionary of the Year should demonstrate
exceptional leadership in guiding our communities to a more sustainable future.
This award was created to recognize and honor an individual from the South
Florida community that has dedicated their life to making this world a better
place. Through their career or voluntary work they have stayed true to their
environmental ethics in order to educate others and preserve the Earth’s natural
wonders. The Lifetime Achievement recipient should have worked within the
environmental field for at least 15 years.
Environmental Educator of the Year Principal, Pine Jog Elementary School
Fred Barch
Fred Barch was a science teacher for 13 years and held the position of School
District Science Supervisor for the K-12 Curriculum Department for 8 years
before opening Pine Jog Elementary School. Throughout his career, Fred has
received numerous awards and accolades for his many educational initiatives and
partnerships.
In January 2008, he was named as principal of Pine Jog Elementary School,
Florida’s first Gold LEED Certified School. His vision was to create a school
with a strong focus on science, nature and art. Under Fred’s leadership, Pine
Jog Elementary was classified as a Green School of Excellence, a 5 Star School
and earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education, all in the
school’s first year. Pine Jog Elementary was recently named a finalist for the
Governors Serve to Preserve, Green School Award. The school gained International
exposure when the 4,000 plant hydroponic garden was featured on the front cover
of Time Magazine for Kids – April edition with a circulation of over 3.5 million
copies. He is passionate about making Pine Jog Elementary a national model for
green schools and will be presenting the Pine Jog Elementary model at three
national conferences later this year.
Environmental Organization of the Year
Audubon of Florida
Audubon of Florida’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems,
focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s
biological diversity. They are unique among Florida’s environmental
organizations because of their comprehensive and solutions-oriented approach to
conservation, which uses sound science, effective advocacy, management of
sanctuaries and on-the-ground restorations, as well as the grassroots leadership
of our statewide network of 44 chapters. With more than 100 years of experience
as the Voice of Conservation, Audubon of Florida helps Floridians conserve our
diverse native wildlife and wildlands.
Green Business/Non-Profit of the Year Community Foundation of Palm Beach and
Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties improves communities
through the power of giving. Since 1972, the Community Foundation has awarded
more than $81 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and over $5.1 million
in scholarships to more than 1,300 students. The Foundation’s environmental
grantmaking promotes the development of new approaches to the environmental
challenges faced by our region. From promoting water quality through
groundbreaking research and grants, to becoming the first certified green
nonprofit in the nation and helping other nonprofits “go green,” to encouraging
sustainable schools through the Palm Beach County Green Schools Recognition
program, the Foundation is committed to improving our environment. These
innovative grants are supported by the Environmental Endowment Fund, the John D.
and Catherine T. MacArthur Fund and other donors.
Environmental Visionary of the Year
Commissioner Jeff Koons
Commissioner Koons served on the City of West Palm Beach Commission from 1989 -
2000, serving as Mayor in 1991 and Commission President in 1989, 1997 - 1999. He
was first elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in
November 2002 and, re-elected to his second term in November 2006. Commissioner
Koons’ water and environmental restoration efforts began when he realized that
the City of West Palm Beach had over 20 square miles of pristine Everglades as
their water supply, which was connected to Lake Okeechobee. These same prairie
wetlands are the head waters of the Loxahatchee Slough and River.
He has served on various City and Environmental Committees. In the early 1990's,
he served as Chairman of the Countywide Planning Council and now 20 years later,
he serves as Chairman of the County's Water Resources Task Force. Commissioner
Koons was one of the first initiators of NENA (North Everglades Natural Area)
which encompasses the recreational systems in North Palm Beach and South Martin
Counties. The area consists of 161,000 acres of land that the various government
entities have purchased for environmental restoration of the Loxahatchee Slough
and River. As a current board member, past Chair an active participant of Pine
Jog for over 20 years, he has spearheaded various projects and activities
including the planning of the joint green campus of Pine Jog Environmental
Education Center and Elementary School. He was also instrumental in bringing the
Everglades Youth Camp under Pine Jog/FAU’s operation.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mrs. Page (Frances) Hufty
Frances Hufty is an icon in the environmental community. Her dedication to
conservation is reflected in her support of two organizations. Richard, The
Archibald Biological Station, founded by Frances Hufty’s brother, is the most
significant land holding of sand pine scrub in the State of Florida and the
repository of decades of scientific research on the sand pine scrub community.
The research, conducted by in-house staff as well as visiting academics from
across the nation, is the most comprehensive and in-depth body of scientific
knowledge about sand pine scrub resulting in the discovery of new species and
documentation of the natural history of both flora and fauna.
Frances became involved with Pine Jog from the moment our doors opened in 1960
due to her membership in the Garden Club of Palm Beach and friendship with our
founder, Mrs. Kay. She was chairman of the Pine Jog Advisory Council formed in
1976 and remains an active member of the Pine Jog Board of Directors. Frances
has a strong commitment to environmental education and the work Pine Jog has
accomplished in developing effective educational programs through research and
continuous assessment and improvement. Over a million children have participated
in Pine Jog programs during Frances Hufty’s tenure with Pine Jog. Frances
assisted in taking Pine Jog to new levels with a contribution to the capital
campaign and the completion of our LEED certified facility.
Frances Hufty has been and remains one of Pine Jog’s most dedicated advocates.
Her wisdom and contributions are woven into the fabric of Pine Jog’s History.