DEP South District Presents Environmental Stewardship Award

Press Release Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 31, 2018

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

DEP South District Presents
Environmental Stewardship Award 

~District recognizes paraprofessional who was dedicated to environmental initiatives and education~

DEP South District - Environmental Stewardship

From left: DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart, Neil Armstrong Elementary School Principal Angie Taillon and JoAnn McErlane's mother, Antonietta Chirzanowski. 

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's South District presented an Environmental Stewardship Award posthumously to JoAnn McErlane, a paraprofessional who created several lasting environmental clubs and initiatives during her time at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. Principal Angie Taillon and JoAnn's mother accepted the award on JoAnn's behalf during a recent school assembly.  

“JoAnn, like Neil Armstrong, led by example, accepting challenges and creating solutions to provide for a better tomorrow,” said DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart. 

JoAnn's legacy includes the Environmental Defenders club, which she formed to address recycling and waste reduction in the school cafeteria. As a result of this initiative, students have helped to significantly reduce food waste from eight bags a day to two bags. In an effort to further reduce waste, JoAnn was also dedicated to collecting recycled plastic lids, which have since been melted down and used to create benches and tables for students to use on campus. 

“It is obvious that Ms. JoAnn cared for the environment very much and did her best to remind us that we should all care and do our best to reduce our waste and recycle for our students’ futures,” said Neil Armstrong Elementary Principal Angie Taillon.

In addition to her environmental efforts, JoAnn was instrumental in organizing the yearly Shoe Donation Drive, ensuring each student had a new pair of shoes for the school year. She also kept a closet of "fancy" clothes for graduating fifth-grade students to wear to their graduation ceremonies.  

The South District Environmental Stewardship program recognizes those who have demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding Florida’s natural resources.