WVDEP Announces 2018 Clean County and Community Award Recipients, Environmental Teachers of the Year

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Nov. 7, 2018) – The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has announced the recipients of the “Clean County and Clean Community Awards” and has also recognized three educators as “Environmental Teachers of the Year.”

The six municipalities recognized as “Clean Communities” are:

• Beech Bottom, Brooke County ($500 Grand Prize)
• Buckhannon, Upshur County
• Hamlin, Lincoln County
• New Cumberland, Hancock County
• Ravenswood, Jackson County
• Wardensville, Hardy County

Communities that did not receive a cash prize will receive a glass award signifying their achievement and if necessary, two road signs designating their community as a Make It Shine Clean Community.

Two counties were recognized as “Clean Counties”:

• Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority ($2,000 first place award)
• McDowell County Solid Waste Authority ($1,000 second place award) 
 
The “Environmental Teachers of the Year” are:

• Elementary: Amanda Morris, Pleasant Hill Elementary in Calhoun County
• Intermediate: Penni Harris, Elkins Middle School in Randolph County
• High School: Richard Parsons, Herbert Hoover High School in Kanawha County

Each Teacher of the Year will receive a $500 personal award and a $1,000 award to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in the classroom. 

“Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients,” said WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton. “These dedicated local leaders and educators are to be commended for their hard work. They are the people who help WVDEP in our environmental mission, and the citizens of West Virginia should be proud of their efforts.” 

The awards were presented at the Association of West Virginia Solid Waste Authorities annual meeting at Stonewall Jackson Resort. 

For more WVDEP news and information, go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter, Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/depwv/, and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.”