Steve Jasiecki/Fred Akers digs a hole for the platform post while Bill Stuempfig prepares ropes to straighten an osprey nest on Shooting Island in Pecks Bay.
TRENTON – Environmentalist Fred Akers, administrator for the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association, is among the eight winners of 2021 Governor’s Environmental Excellence and Sullivan Awards Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced Monday in a release.
This year’s honorees were recognized for their commitment to enhance New Jersey environmental protection practices by mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, improving living conditions and providing training for people in environmentally vulnerable communities, adjusting preservation goals to help local farmers, and building partnerships to promote land conservation.
“We are lucky to have so many forward-thinking organizations that work every day to ensure future generations will have a healthy environment to enjoy with their families,” LaTourette said. “I am thrilled to honor the winners of this year’s Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards and the Sullivan Award for their continued dedication to create a stronger, fairer New Jersey through outstanding environmental leadership.”
Akers has devoted more than 20 years of service to monitoring, assessing and improving water quality in the Great Egg Harbor Watershed. His projects directly address the deeply interconnected issues of stormwater management, land conservation, pollution reduction and habitat protection in the region.
Akers’ success comes from his passion for environmental protection, as well as his deep understanding of local issues and communities. He continues to build on his successes with continued work on critical projects, research and advocacy to protect New Jersey’s environment.
This year’s Richard J. Sullivan honoree is Capt. Bill Sheehan, a lifelong resident of the Hackensack River Watershed region. A dedicated conservationist, he founded Hackensack Riverkeeper in 1997 and continues to serve as the organization’s executive director.
A panel of judges reviewed and scored the nominations on criteria including documented environmental benefit, contributions to meeting the state’s environment needs, replicability by others, leadership and innovation, and education and outreach undertaken as part of the effort.
The 2021 awards were presented virtually and video is available on the DEP website and Facebook page. Excerpts from the presentation and videos of the honorees will also be featured on DEP social media channels throughout December.
To learn more about the program and this year’s recipients, visit www.nj.gov/dep/awards/.
