Environmentalist of the Year

At the annual dinner each year, the Newton Conservators gives the Environmentalist of the Year Award to the individual who has made the greatest contribution to the protection of Newton's environment. These award recipients, from the first award in 1981 to the present:

2007 Dan Brody for his vision, skill, and dedication in building and maintaining the Newton Conservators’ web site.

2006 Jon Regosin, Duane Hillis and Eric Reenstierna for their key roles in the acquisition of Angino Farm.

2005 Doug Dickson for his active participation in numerous environmental-based causes including his active work with the Community Preservation Committee and land acquisition.

2004 Mayor David Cohen for his leadership and creativity in the acquisition of Kesseler Woods

2003 Martha Aherin Horn for protecting and enhancing Newton's conservation areas

2002 Jim Broderick and the CPA Alliance for successfully gaining voter approval to fund the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in Newton

2001 Rep. Ruth Balser for leadership in preserving publicly-owned open space across the state, and advancing plans for restoration of Hammond Pond

2000 Marty Sender for advocacy and labor in cleaning up the Lakes District of the Charles River and for work on open space issues throughout the city

1999 Louise Bruyn for her vision in founding and leading the Green Decade Coalition, on the occasion of its tenth anniversary

1998 Dan Driscoll for work in making the Charles River Pathway a reality

1997 Dianne Dumanoski for raising awareness about pesticide risks in her book, "Our Stolen Future"

1996 William Gillitt, Elaine Gentile, and Jean Husher (Commonwealth Avenue Task Force) for a successful design for the renovation of Commonwealth Avenue as a linear park

1995 Sen. Lois Pines for leadership in environmental issues in the Legislature

1994 Bill Leitch and Betsy Leitch for leadership in the restoration of Bullough's Pond

1993 AnnaMaria Abernathy and Theresa O'Halloran for work on Washington Street Park and a summer boat ride on the Charles River as a model of transportation without cars

1992 Thelma Fleishman for voicing open space values on the Conservation Commission

1991 Leo Levi for beautifying Newton through education, trees, and flower bulbs

1990 Barbara Herson for her work on recycling programs and Earth Day activities, and

Carol Morrison for her long work toward the development of Nahanton Park

1989 Richard Staley for creating and directing the Environmental Science Program

1988 Anita Capeless for work over many years to ensure sensible land use in Newton

1987 William Geizentanner for his design of the Charles River Pathway

1986 Sarah Barnett, Anne Dinsmore, Sharon Francis, Deborah Howard, Joan Lerner, and Ann Roesner for producing Newton's first Open Space Plan in 1973-74

1985 Rita Barron for conservation work on the Charles River to make it swimmable

1984 Helen Heyn for "unstinting efforts" to acquire and protect Newton's open space legacy

1983 (no award)

1982 Newton Commonwealth Improvement Corporation and Lisle Baker for their work in preserving the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course

1981 Betsy Lewenberg for outstanding work in promoting the Newton recycling program