The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is pleased to request nominees for the 2016 Dr. Marc Taylor Environmental Stewardship Award. Established in 2015 to honor Dr. Taylor and his contributions to the protection of water resources, this prestigious award recognizes similar efforts by dedicated Connecticut conservationists.
Dr. Taylor, who passed away in June of 2012, is remembered as a highly respected and compassionate physician, educator, and environmental leader. It was in his retirement from the medical profession that Dr. Taylor turned his keen intellect and calm demeanor toward fostering coalition-based solutions for the benefit of the environment.
In 1999, Dr. Taylor and a group of his peers founded the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition to study the quality and quantity of water in the Pomperaug Watershed, a 90-square mile area that touches eight towns in western Connecticut. With science at its core and education as its hallmark, PRWC works with watershed towns, regulatory agencies, environmental organization and community volunteers to continue Dr. Taylor's legacy in stewarding the local water resources. In addition to his role as PRWC founder, Dr. Taylor demonstrated his dedication to environmental protection locally, regionally, and nationally as a board member and chair of River Alliance of Connecticut, Housatonic Valley Association, and River Network.
PRWC would like to honor an individual who has demonstrated similar dedication and leadership for the conservation of natural resources. To be eligible for this award, the nominee should have extensive community service with a focus on environmental issues; be recognized as a “go to person” in the environmental or conservation arena; and, be an effective leader and collaborator.
Of several excellent nominees for the first Taylor Award in 2015, the Coalition recognized the work of Margaret Miner, Executive Director of the Rivers Alliance and Vice Chairman of the CT Water Planning Council Advisory Group. Taylor and Miner worked together for decades on behalf of the environment. Together, they made amazing progress at the local, state and federal level to improve laws that today help protect quality and quantity of Connecticut’s precious water resources and the life they support.
