2011 Environmental Awards

The City of Raleigh presented the 2011 Environmental Awards on Thursday, April 21, 2011. There were 13 awards presented to recognize local individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to protecting or improving the environment.

Youth Award- M2M3 Community Garden

The Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School (M2M3) Community Garden received the Youth Award. The garden was founded in August 2009 with the mission to create and sustain an organic garden at the school in Raleigh's downtown core. Students are involved in all aspects of planning and creating the garden. The M2M3 Community Garden group received a $500 scholarship for winning the Youth Award.

Partnership Project

The Partnership Award was given to Carolina Solar Energy, the City of Raleigh, Progress Energy, TROSA Construction, Cherokee Investments and Colexon for their extraordinary collaboration on installing the photovoltaic generator at the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment plant.

Legacy Award- Lisa Wallace

Lisa Wallace received the Legacy Award. She has spent 33 years beautifying Raleigh, creating more sustainable landscapes, educating others, and advocating for the environment. Lisa's success can be attributed to her passion for her work, her persistence and enthusiasm. She has left an enduring legacy for future generations to learn from and enjoy while being integral in making Raleigh an outstanding city. 

Environmental Awareness Award- Ravenscroft School

The Environmental Awareness Award was given to Ravenscroft School. Ravenscroft School's sustainability program includes rain gardens on campus, recycling and composting in the dining hall, organic vegetable gardens and innovations to track and reduce energy usage. Ravenscroft is looking to continue on its path to creating a more sustainable campus as an education tool for students.

Urban Stewardship Award- Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

The Urban Stewardship Award recipient is the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle pioneers innovative and transformative solutions designed to end hunger in the community. Believing that locally grown food helps build community health, wealth, and security, the Food Shuttle brings the community together to eat, grow, cook, share, and move.

Natural Resource Conservation Award- Market at Colonnade

The Natural Resource Conservation award was given to the Market at Colonnade. This six acre in-fill retail development captures the first inch of rainfall, infiltrating into the ground through an underground trench system and an underground detention chamber nearly half the size of a football field. This, in combination with three large cisterns, dramatically reduces annual stormwater runoff volumes. 

Natural Resource Conservation Award- Rocky Branch Stream Restoration and Greenway Project

The Natural Resource Conservation Award was given to the Rocky Branch Stream Restoration and Greenway Project, in which more than a mile of stream length was restored through North Carolina State University's campus. The restoration has stabilized the creek, improved water quality and habitat, and better integrated the creek into the campus environment while creating a safe and accessible outdoor teaching laboratory. 

Market Transformation Award- Wake Electric's Pilot Program with Consert

The Market Transformation Award was given to Wake Electric's Pilot Program with Consert. Wake Electric's desire for a real-time, integrated control software package led them to implement Consert's Energy Management Solution as a pilot program. Participants saw 15 percent energy savings by adjusting their own devices to power on or off within their personally controlled software settings for energy use.

Pioneering Efforts Award- Electric Vehicle Charging with Eaton's Pow-R-Stations

The Pioneering Efforts Award recipient is the Electric Vehicle Charging with Eaton's Pow-R-Stations. Electric car owners in the Raleigh area now have a place to charge their cars. As more electric cars become available and enter our communities, Eaton is excited to be a part of this new era. Two stations were installed in front of City Hall, and another station was installed next to the convention center.

Green Design Award- Walnut Creek Wetland Center

The Green Design Award recipient is the Walnut Creek Wetland Center. The all-wood construction utilized recycled materials and its windows facilitate natural ventilation and illumination. Circulation occurs outside the building across a large porch and the metal roof's deep overhang protects the interior from the summer sun. The Center connects to extensive trails and outdoor activities and is poised above the wetlands flood plain.

Institutional Innovation Award- NCSU's Syme Hall Rain Garden

The Institutional Innovation Award was given to NCSU's Syme Hall Rain Garden. Erosion problems, invasive plants, and public safety concerns were addressed to transform an unsightly passage into a functional campus amenity. This project advanced campus-based sustainable stormwater strategies by creatively solving critical environmental issues while generating the visible and value-added benefits of recreation, restoration, and education. 

Water Efficient Landscaping Award- WaterWise Demonstration Garden

The Water Efficient Landscaping Award recipient was given to the WaterWise Demonstration Garden. A previously desolate spot was transformed into a peaceful environment combining drought tolerant plants, rocks, and mulch, giving it depth and beauty all year round. The garden provides a home for birds, butterflies, and other insects while providing a transition with aesthetic appeal to the neighborhood.  

Regional Award- WakeNature Preserves Partnership

The Regional Award recipient is WakeNature Preserves Partnership. It was formed in 2007 as a grassroots effort to identify and manage high quality, protected natural areas in Wake County. WakeNature seeks to foster a network of parks and open spaces throughout Wake County where visitors experience various habitats, natural communities, and species that are rare or important to local ecology and biodiversity. 

Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award- Southern Energy Management

The recipient of the Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award is Southern Energy Management. The company offers energy efficiency, green building, and turn-key solar services for homeowners, builders, companies, government and military clients across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Southern Energy Management's mission is to have a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by building a sustainable triple-bottom-line company.