Keep Martin Beautiful Environmental Stewardship Awards

The Golden Globes, Oscars and Emmys have nothing on the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Awards event. Hosted by Keep Martin Beautiful on May 1, the event proved that award presentations don’t have to be snoozers.

Fast-paced banter and off-script remarks between emcees Commissioner Ed Ciampi and the Firefly Group’s President and Chief Illuminator Stacy Ranieri kept the audience laughing and eager to hear which eight individuals and organizations out of the forty-four nominees would take home an award for their work on behalf of the environment.

When Jeff Sabin, a founder of Keep Martin Beautiful and Government Affairs Director with Waste Management, took the podium to introduce one of the winners, he gave a bit of a history lesson. “Keep Martin Beautiful was hatched in a dentist office in Jensen Beach thirty years ago. Look at us now!” Sabin said, gesturing to a full house at Piper’s Landing Country Club.

Marshall Critchfield, External Affairs Manager for FPL, presented the Innovation award in the spirit of FPL’s investments in building a cleaner energy grid. “All of our nominees exemplify the very best in thinking about environmental solutions not just for today but for the future,” Critchfield said.

This year’s winners include Youth Engagement: Jensen Beach Elementary School for their Eco-Action Team; Innovation: the Martin County Public Works Department and its Savannas Weir project; Environmental Restoration: Audubon of Martin  County and its Pine Flatwoods Restoration; Community Enrichment: the Martin County Office of Tourism for its Explore Natural Martin Program; Outstanding Adopt-a-Road: Mike Gonzalez and family for his engaging outreach to get others involved in the program; Environmental Education: the City of Stuart for its backyard composting program; and Community Impact: House of Hope for their comprehensive approach to reducing waste and conserving resources.

A new award for 2024 honors Wendy Lee Parker, who served as the Martin County Solid Waste Manager for over twenty years and passed away in March 2024. Wendy was beloved among her family, friends, and colleagues and truly exemplified what it means to be an environmental steward. The Wendy Lee Parker Award was created in honor of her dedication to community improvement. It is presented to a government employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty and shows exceptional commitment to the community. This year’s honoree was Anne Hawkins, City of Stuart Utilities and Engineering Program Manager, for her exceptional and longstanding commitment to environmental work, and notably, the creation of the popular Waterfest event.

Jennifer Stull, President of the Keep Martin Beautiful Board of Directors, wrapped up the evening by pointing out how diverse the winners and nominees were. “The Environmental Stewardship Awards proves that our community’s love for the environment brings together people from all walks of life to work hard and celebrate the many ways in which we protect and conserve the beautiful place where we live,” Stull said.

For a complete list of all 44 nominees, descriptions of their projects, and more information about how to become involved with Keep Martin Beautiful, visit Keep Martin Beautiful at  KeepMartinBeautiful.org or call 772.781.1222.

About Keep Martin Beautiful

Keep Martin Beautiful (KMB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization founded in 1994 as an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Martin County through litter prevention, the promotion of recycling, improvement of solid waste management practices, and beautification and community revitalization activities. KMB signature events and programs include the Environmental Stewardship Awards, the International Coastal Cleanup, the Great American Cleanup, the Martin Grade Scenic Byway, the Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Street programs, and other educational and outreach activities. Find KMB on Facebook at facebook.com/KeepMartinBeautiful, follow KMB on Instagram at instagram.com/keepmartinbeautiful, visit KeepMartinBeautiful.org or call 772-781-1222.

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