At BSU Earthweek activities COTE announced the receipients of its fourth annual awards program. The awards fall into two main catagories:

COTE Exemplar Awards recognize individuals or groups with significant accomplishments promoting the sustainable use of natural resources or the protection of ecological systems.

Individuals who have a record of continual significant achivements are further recognized by the awarding of a "COTE Exemplar Lifetime Achievement Award".

COTE Green Initiative Awards recognize everyday activites, decisions or contributions that help to move Ball State University toward sustainability. Their purpose is to reward discrete contributions rather than a history of multiple accomplishments.

Exemplar Lifetime Achievement Awards

Recipients have a record of continual significant accomplishments throughout their lifetime promoting sustainable use of natural resources or the protection of ecological systems.

Phyllis A. Yuhas

The late Dr. Phyllis Yuhas remains a giant among those who have supported environmental preservation. In particular, she was an active protagonist of the work of the Nature Conservancy, the Red Tail Conservancy and the Audubon Society. She also was a serious advocate for the humane treatment of animals. Her lifelong love of nature and devotion to conservation concerns is reflected in the naming of the Frank and Phyllis Yuhas Woods in Randolph County which will remain as a legacy forever.

Tom Lowe

Dr. B. Thomas Lowe is a pioneer in the development of sustainability at Ball State University. His career as Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management was devoted to strengthening environmental teaching, scholarship and service. His efforts to inculcate greening of the campus, as a central element of the university's academic and management focus has helped to position Ball State as a leader in this movement.

Marjorie Zeigler

The lifetime achievements of Ms. Ziegler have been directed through the work of the Zeigler Foundation, which has supported environmental projects throughout the community. Ms. Zeigler has been working to improve civic visual landscapes for many years, serving as an important source of philanthropic funding for conservation.

Exemplar Awards

Recipients have a record of significant accomplishments promoting the sustainable use of natural resources or the protection of ecological systems.

Ken Brunswick

Mr. Brunswick, a former diary farmer, has worked since 1997 as a regional biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural resources. He is co-founder and director of Limberlost Swamp Remembered, which has been restoring nearly 1,300 acres of the once 13,000-acre Limberlost swamp in Jay and Adams Counties.

Marcia Johnson

Ms. Johnson has been active for many years in the Master Gardeners' Club. She has been an organizer and active member of the Indiana Plant and Wildlife Society (INPAWS), which encourages an appreciation of native wildflowers and action against invasive species. In recent years she has worked to set up and maintain the East Central chapter of INPAWS, which includes Delaware and twenty-one other counties.

Michael Lannoo

Dr. Lannoo is Professor of Medical Education, Physiology, and Health Science at the Center for Medical Education. His research on amphibians has received national attention and has inspired local efforts to monitor frog populations. In addition, Dr. Lannoo has been actively involved with various Audubon Society projects, including the work to put up osprey platforms at the Prairie Creek Reservoir.

Alan Patrick

Alan Patrick is one of the major artists in this state. In recent years he has dedicated himself to painting the Indiana natural areas protected by the Nature Conservancy and the Red Tail Conservancy. His excellent work has created tremendous public awareness of the state's natural treasures. Moreover, he has generously contibuted income from the sale of his paintings to the work of conservation organizations.

Dwight Shelton

Mr. Shelton has been a long term activist in the National Wildlife Federation and has been involved with the formation and the activities of the Farmland Conservation Club. Mr. Shelton has been a member of Red-tail Conservancy from its inception in 1999 and frequently volunteers and advises the staff.

Phil Tevis

Mr. Tevis has campaigned for years to improve the White River; he has encouraged tree plantings, proposed dam removal, and worked to naturalize the river banks near Minnetrista. He chaired the first phase of the White River Watershed project. He was involved with the Red Tail Conservancy's Grandview Riverbend project. In addition, he has served on the staff of the Delaware Greenway (Cardinal Greenway).

Minnetrista Cultural Center

The Minnetrista Cultural Center (MCC) has been a tremendous cultural and historical asset for the East Central Indiana community and has evolved into a cultural and natural heritage center. It has contributed to the expansion and naturalization of the St. Joe Nature Center. The MCC has battled against invasive species and endeavored to restore its properties to a more natural woodland habitat. Through the years it has organized numerous high quality ecological and natural history exhibitions, e.g., birds of prey and dinosaurs. In addition, the MCC has been an early sponsor of farmers' markets and has provided an example for others in the region, e.g., Hartford City and Winchester.

Green Initiative Awards

Recipients have made discrete contributions that help to move Ball State University toward sustainability.

Janet Fick: in recognition of work to incorporate concepts of sustainability and green design into the curriculum of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Angela Garcia: in recognition of work as a National Wildlife Fellow, a member of the Natural Resources Club, a representative at the Women for Sustainable Development summit and the Minority Environmental Leadership Institute.

Rich Huyck: in recognition of his work on behalf of the Muncie CLEAN part of the Clean Cities Project.

Emily Kress: in recognition of her work with the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Program and the Indiana Environmental License Plate Project.

Rick Lopez: in recognition of his work founding and organizing the local chapter of Pheasants Forever.

Gary Prater: in recognition of his work on behalf of the East Central Indiana Natural Heritage Farmers' Market, otherwise known as the Downtown Organic Farmers' Market.

Dave Ring: in recognition of his work on behalf of the East Central Indiana Natural Heritage Farmers' Market, otherwise known as the Downtown Organic Farmers' Market.

Sara Ring: in recognition of her work on behalf of the East Central Indiana Natural Heritage Farmers' Market, otherwise known as the Downtown Organic Farmers' Market.

Nadia Roumie: in recognition of her work with Students for a Sustainable Campus and the "Recyclemania" project.

Kelly Schoonaert: in recognition of her campus-wide and community-wide efforts to protect the public from exposure to second hand smoke.

Jeremy Woods: in recognition of his work with the local chapter of Pheasants Forever.