FALMOUTH, Maine, June 24, 2008—Maine Audubon has recognized four Maine residents for their outstanding support of the organization’s work to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.

 

At a presentation on Wednesday, June 18, at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Maine Audubon named William Plouffe of Freeport its 2008 Conservationist of the Year, Mary Evans of Clifton 2008 Educator of the Year and John Tatko of Willimantic 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Falmouth resident Horace A. “Hoddy” Hildreth was presented with the organization’s Distinguished Contribution Award.

 

Maine Audubon presented Horace A. “Hoddy” Hildreth with the Distinguished Contribution Award, reserved for significant leadership and commitment in support of Maine Audubon’s mission to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.

 

“Hoddy is recognized across the state for the breadth of his conservation leadership,” said Kevin Carley, Maine Audubon executive director. “Efforts he made as a state legislator over 30 years ago are still proving significant, and his ongoing work for wildlife conservation is outstanding.”

 

Working for stronger environmental policies in Maine, Hildreth served in the state Senate as chair of the Natural Resources and Legislative Research committees in the 1960s and ’70s. Among his accomplishments in the Legislature, he and other key legislators led a campaign to form Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), an independent board charged with ensuring responsible development in Maine’s unorganized townships.

 

LURC set the standard that Maine’s land and water resources are first and foremost for the benefit of the public. Maine Audubon still works to uphold that priority—and is grateful for Hildreth’s dependable support of our efforts.

 

While in the Legislature, Hildreth also drafted and sponsored development and wetland laws for coastal land. The significant policies ensured that developers had to prove that projects would not cause undue adverse impacts to Maine wildlife and other natural resources before being granted a permit.

 

 

Since leaving the Legislature, Hildreth has continued to be a leader in Maine conservation. He has given his time as a former or current advisor, trustee, and chairman to many groups, including the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine League of Conservation Voters, Conservation Law Foundation, the Maine Community Foundation, and Maine Audubon.

 

William Plouffe was named Maine Audubon’s 2008 Conservationist of the Year, an award given annually to an individual or group for making a significant contribution to wildlife conservation in Maine.

 

“In both his professional and personal life, Bill has served as a committed advocate for Maine’s environment,” said Kevin Carley. “In particular, his contributions have helped ensure that the western range stretching from Saddleback to Bigelow Mountains will remain one of the state’s pre-eminent mountain areas.”

 

For five years, Plouffe worked successfully with Maine Audubon and several other organizations to convince Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission that the fragile habitats of Redington and Black Nubble mountains are not appropriate places to site wind turbines. Plouffe’s professionalism and passion for Maine’s mountains were invaluable in making the case that Maine doesn’t need to choose between wind power and wildlife conservation—we can have both.

 

Plouffe also has served on the board of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, helped found the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, and as an attorney with Drummond Woodsum has focused his practice on environmental law.

 

Maine Audubon presented Mary Evans with its 2008 Educator of the Year Award, given annually to recognize significant contributions toward expanding adults’ or children’s knowledge of the natural world and conservation in Maine.

 

“Mary has a remarkable passion for environmental education,” said Judy Markowsky, who has worked with Evans as director of Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden. “She has found many creative ways to connect her students with their environment—and her fellow teachers with environmental education.”

 

Evans, who currently teaches fourth and fifth grades at Fairmount School in Bangor, has been a teacher for 24 years.

 

Over that time, Evans’ innovative lessons have taught her students by example of our connections and responsibilities to the environment. A small sampling of projects includes raising and releasing salmon, exploring forests to map wildlife habitats, and stenciling storm drains to make people think twice about water pollution.

 

Behind the scenes, she has made sure ecology has an important place in the science curriculums she wrote for Bangor schools, helped Fields Pond Audubon Center Director Judy Markowsky develop the “Secrets of the Forest” nature walk program, and has taught fellow teachers about ways to include natural surroundings in their classrooms.

John Tatko was named 2008 Volunteer of the Year, an annual award recognizing the exceptional efforts of a volunteer who has assisted Maine Audubon programs, projects or events.

 

“John is a great example of the kind of commitment shown by Maine Audubon volunteers,” said Kevin Carley. “We thank them all for the crucial role they play in the organization’s success.”

 

Over the last five years, Tatko, who manages Sheldon Slate Products in Monson, has donated building materials and products and volunteered many hours for Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary in Elliotsville Plantation.

 

“What John has done for Borestone is truly significant,” said sanctuary manager Don Annis. “It doesn’t matter if I need a 10-cent screw or a $500 slate sink—John says, ‘Whatever I can do.’”

 

Tatko’s contributions include: donating slate steps, road materials and a slate sink, repairing the sanctuary’s access road, welding framework for solar panels, fixing the facility’s tractor, and offering invaluable pieces of technical advice.

 

Tatko says his commitment to Borestone—and that of the sanctuary’s many other volunteers—comes from a strong belief in the center’s mission of connecting the public with the distinct character of the North Woods.

 

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat in Maine by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action.

 

Support for Maine Audubon comes from 11,000 members and supporters, including individuals, foundations and corporations. With a 160-year history of connecting people with nature, Maine Audubon today is affiliated with Audubon’s national organization and has seven local chapters in the state.

 

Visit www.maineaudubon.org to find out more.