FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2017

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP South District Presents
Environmental Stewardship Awards

~District recognizes environmental stewards and educators~

From left to right: Melinda A. Avni, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services forester; Margaret England, award recipient and Terry Cerullo, DEP Outreach.
From left to right: Terry Cerullo and Ron Zimmerly, president of the LaBelle Rotary Club.

LABELLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's South District recognized Margaret England of LaBelle and the Rotary Club of LaBelle District 6960 for outstanding environmental stewardship.

“It is our honor to recognize Margaret and the Rotary Club for their hard work and dedication in providing distinguished environmental education to the students of LaBelle, and their endless work in the community protecting our natural resources,” said Jon Iglehart, director of DEP's South District. 

These outstanding environmental stewards support Hendry County’s “Call of the Wild” environmental education program, which has provided an environmental foundation for more than 10,000 elementary school students in the Hendry County School District. The week-long program encourages and inspires students to protect Florida's natural resources. 

The Rotary Club is also a key sponsor of the city of Labelle’s Nature Park, enhancing it into an environmental and recreational showpiece by installing native landscaping, pathways, benches and rest areas, open areas for community gatherings and a gazebo alongside the river. Members and volunteers maintain and enhance the park and its amenities monthly. 

The South District Environmental Stewardship program was developed to recognize those who are working alongside DEP to safeguard Florida’s natural resources. 

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/19b3752