Local Group Wins EPA Merit Award

On May 12, 2011, the Green Up Clean Up 2010 Organizing Team from Grace Episcopal Church in Medford MA sat with representatives from the Boston Bruins, the President of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) in Boston’s Faneuil Hall to receive a 2011 EPA Environmental Merit Award.
The merit awards, recognizing valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving, are a unique way that EPA can recognize individuals and groups that are making significant impacts on environmental quality in distinct ways. Awarded by EPA since 1970, the merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the region’s environment. This year’s competition drew 56 nominations from across New England. Awards were given in the following categories: individual; business (including professional organizations); local, state or federal government; and environmental, community, academia or nonprofit organization. Each year, EPA also may present lifetime achievement awards for individuals.

The six members of the Green Up Clean Up team recognized a need in our community and worked with community organizations and local businesses to organize community beautification and cleanups in playgrounds and parks throughout the City of Medford. The Green Up Clean Up Team publicized their efforts through community email lists, the local papers, Grace Church announcements, the City Council and through the Greening Grace blog. They inspired more than 250 people in the Medford community to pick up trash, paint tables and benches, rake leaves, spread mulch and sand and generally improve public spaces in Medford.

This effort spread throughout the community, and residents unaffiliated with the church volunteered to organize two additional park cleanups, bringing the number of spring cleanups to seven. Tufts University partnered with the team in the fall to sponsor an eighth cleanup last September.

The effort has been widely popular in the city inspiring other groups to announce park clean up days both on their own and in conjunction with this year’s Green Up Clean Up effort. The City has been very supportive of the effort providing materials and equipment support through the Medford Parks Division, part of the Department of Public Works.

Mayor Michael J. McGlynn was pleased to hear that the Green Up Clean Up Team was recognized by the EPA stating; “It is volunteer members of our community that are stepping forward and making a difference in helping to make Medford a leader in the “greening” of our environment. The Green Up, Clean Up Team should be commended for helping to improve the quality of life for all.”

Jonathan Hunt, a member of the team who received the award said, “We wouldn’t have been able to make such a difference without the amazing outpouring of support from the Medford community and local businesses.”

Linda Rodgers said “Mike Nestor from the City of Medford Parks Division was instrumental in making this a success. Without his enthusiastic efforts getting us supplies and materials and the support of the city we could not have been as effective as we were. The Green Up Clean Up Team sends Mike Nestor a huge THANK YOU!”

The award was presented to the team by EPA employees Catherine Smith and Steven Viggiani, fellow Medford residents and members of Grace Church.

– Submitted by Alicia Hunt