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WILKES-BARRE —To Janet Sweeney, the Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on Thursday night was the culmination of a year’s worth of work of protecting our environment, promoting the natural assets of the region and, with the aid of her associates, attacking the scourge of illegal dumping.

Prior to the start of the 26th annual awards banquet at the Woodlands Inn and Resort, which attracted over 200 business people, engineers, waste management personnel and some of the state’s leading naturalists, she talked glowingly of the opportunities in this region for hiking, biking and nature watching. At the same time, she lamented illegal dumping activities which are prevalent along our streams and secluded areas.

“Do you know that about a year ago, we pulled 1,000 discarded tires from the Susquehanna River near Tunkhannock?” she said while discussing the many endeavors of her organization, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council of Main Street in Luzerne. She added that the PEC, fortunately, has been able to attack this problem through state grants.

The banquet is also a major financing vehicle for the PEC, Sweeney said.

To reflect the support the PEC receives, she said several sponsors donate their seats at the banquet tables so that students from area colleges and universities as well as four students from the Crestwood High School Environmental Club were able to attend the affair at no cost.

Sweeney’s husband, Dr. Terrence E. Sweeney, a member of the biology faculty at the University of Scranton, was the featured speaker of the evening.

His address centered around a course he teaches at the University of Scranton titled “Extreme Physiology.” Sweeney, who served for five years as a member of the physiology department at the University of Arizona, said he transformed this experience into a course in biophysics training and outdoor activity.

“Since we have a large number of students from metropolitan areas, after they get here they complain about having nothing to do. We give them an opportunity to change that by organizing hikes and outdoor activities,” he said.

Another highlight was the presentation of the Thomas P. Shelburne Enivronmental Leadership Award to Don Miller, a naturalist from Monroe County.

Miller, who has been involved in several major restoration and preservation projects in the Pocono Mountain region, said, “I’m humbled by this recognition. Actually, I don’t wish to be rewarded for anything. I just enjoy working with people and preserving the natural assets we have.”

Miller is a founding member and past president of the Pocono Heritage Land Trust.

Recipients of this year’s environmental awards from Luzerne County were:

• Lehman Sanctuary, for providing a uniquely diverse teaching resource for environmental education and S.T.E.M. activities for local schools. The sanctuary provides students and educators with a local learning facility focused on watershed, habitat, and other eco-environmental education activities.

• Richard Mitchell Jr., or sharing his expertise on organic gardening, edible landscaping and composting to instill an appreciation for nature among children and adults of all ages. He partners with numerous organizations to educate the community about the environment. He also tutors special needs children and teaches them to grow plants, while helping them develop skills and a passion for nature at the same time.

• Tom Ogorzalek, for his tireless efforts and numerous partnerships that made the Greater Hazleton Rail Trail a reality. An original founder of the GHRT, Ogorzalek recognized an opportunity to connect people to the environment and promote healthy living through the development of this trail.

Luzerne County recipients of the Environmental Partnership Award Richie Mitchell, of Bear Creek Organics, left, chats with Chris Miller, of Lehman Sanctuary, and Tom Ogorzalek, of Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL102116Environment_th_2.jpgLuzerne County recipients of the Environmental Partnership Award Richie Mitchell, of Bear Creek Organics, left, chats with Chris Miller, of Lehman Sanctuary, and Tom Ogorzalek, of Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Diamond City Partnership Executive Director and event master of ceremonies Larry Newman, left, shakes hands with keynote speaker Terrence Sweeney, University of Scranton professor and Chair of Biology, at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council 26th annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains Township on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL102116Environment_th_1.jpgDiamond City Partnership Executive Director and event master of ceremonies Larry Newman, left, shakes hands with keynote speaker Terrence Sweeney, University of Scranton professor and Chair of Biology, at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council 26th annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains Township on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Tom Huntington

For Times Leader

Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.