E. Presentation of Environmental Excellence Awards
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2007 Environmental Excellence Awards
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The Environmental Excellence Awards are presented by the City of Chanhassen to
recognize environmental improvements and stewardship throughout the community.
These awards are designed not only to recognize achievement, but also to
communicate new ideas and encourage the members of the Chanhassen community to
make a difference in their world.
Dale Rusch
Project: Annual monitoring of blue bird nest boxes in Lake Ann Park, around his home
and along Coulter Blvd.
If not for the behind-the-scenes efforts by volunteers in this community, our natural
environment would look much different. From the nameless people who pick up trash
on their daily walks to someone like Dale Rusch who voluntarily takes on the annual
bluebird nest box monitoring program in city parks and at his home, these people make
a difference. Dale monitored 11 nest boxes through the season and watched as 37
bluebird fledglings. emerged as well as 11 tree swallow babies and 6 chickadees. He
counted eggs in each nest, recorded the species that nested and kept track of the
hatchings. Thanks to Dale, Chanhassen residents are able to catch a glimpse of
stunning. blue in the air in our city parks.
Eckankar
Receiving: Peter Skelskey and Jack Heyl
Project: Ongoing natural resources stewardship . .
Passing Eckankar's property along Powers Boulevard and West 78th Street is a relaxing
experience as you gaze off over the rolling prairie and back to the Big Woods forests.
Creating this environment is an ongoing project and one that requires tenacity and
commitment. Eckankar currently manages many acres of native prairie along with a
large area of sugar maple-basswood and oak forest. The Building and Grounds staff
have consistently addressed invasive species, tree diseases, prairie burns, and
woodland maintenance for many years. Managing these areas appropriately requires a
substantial investment of time and money, but the payoff is a site of beauty and
inspiration for the Chanhassen community.
General Mills
Receiving: Neida Cardona and General Mills employees
Project: Volunteering to plant the Lake Ann rain gardens.
On a bright Saturday morning in May, nearly 70 volunteers showed up at Lake Ann Park
to get a little dirty. These General Mills employees and their families were celebrating
Earth Day in a significant way - they were going to plant hundreds of grasses, sedges,
shrubs, trees and flowers in the newly constructed Lake Ann rain gardens. The
volunteers spent the morning digging holes, planting native species and mulching the
gardens. In the end, the three gardens were functional and eye-catching and will help
improve water quality in one the city's signature parks.
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