Sierra Club Honors Enviro Leaders and Volunteers at Annual Appreciation Day

Yesterday the New Jersey Sierra Club hosted their Annual Appreciation Day event at the Paca Club in New Providence. The event is held every year to recognize the great work being done by Sierra Club volunteers, lawmakers and activists to protect New Jersey’s environment. The Sierra Club is the nation’s largest environmental group. We have over 22,000 members and 65,000 supporters in New Jersey. The club gathered together Sunday to honor elected officials, club members, and others who have helped move environmental protection forward.

“The Sierra Club honors people who have shown not only leadership on the environment but who have championed important environmental causes. These are people who, on a daily basis, work to make sure that our environment is protected. They are not only people who are activists but people who also show political commitment and courage, and that’s why we believe that this award is so important. These are the people the Sierra Club recognizes have shown tremendous dedication to making our lives better,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Honoring Governor Richard Codey

Governor Codey is the longest serving member of the State Legislature. As Senate President he helped shepherd many of the most important environmental bills in the Legislature. As Governor, he helped promote many important programs as well. He recently introduced a package of bills that would expand clean energy in New Jersey including one for a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.

“Governor Codey has been a leader on important environmental issues his entire career as Senator, Senate President, and as Governor. As Governor he implemented The Highlands Act, expanded NJ’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, joined RGGI. Today he’s helping craft one of our most important clean energy bills: 100% renewable energy by 2050,” said Jeff Tittel.

Honoring Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker

Besides being an Assemblyman, Andrew Zwicker is a physicist and the Head of Science Education at the Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory. He will hopefully be chairing a key science committee in the next year. He has a strong background in science and environmental policy, as well as clean energy.

“Assemblyman Zwicker has become an environmental champion in the Legislature. His background and knowledge as a scientist and has been instrumental in advancing clean energy. He has helped move NJ forward with electric vehicles, clean energy, and environmental protections such as clean air, clean water, and open space,” said Jeff Tittel.

Honoring Volunteers of the Year: Leona and George Fluck

This year’s Volunteer of the Year award goes to Leona and George Fluck. They are the Outings Coordinators for the Central Jersey Group and have been planning successful events for the Sierra Club for many years.

“George and Leona are some of the most hard-working and dedicated members of the New Jersey Chapter. They have led hundreds of hikes, paddles, and other excursions across the state. They have also been instrumental in the Central Jersey Group in Mercer County. We are proud to honor George and Leona with the award of Volunteers of the Year because of their dedication to the Sierra Club and to the great outdoors,” said Jeff Tittel.

The Sierra Club was proud to honor the above award-recipients, as well as all their members and supporters who continue to fight for New Jersey’s environment.

“The people that were honored have all demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the environment. Their work has helped make the state of New Jersey better for everyone,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Sierra Club’s Appreciation Day was held on Sunday, November 19th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at the Paca Club (184 Livingston Ave, New Providence, NJ 07974).