On November 12, 2015, Ellie Altman, recently retired Director of Adkins Arboretum, will become the second recipient of the Marcy Damon Conservation Landscaping Award. The award, given by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC), a regional non-profit, recognizes Altman for her role in the conception of the CCLC, her long time commitment to conservation landscaping and environmental education, and the recent publication of the book “Chesapeake Gardening and Landscaping: The Essential Green Guide”, by Barbara W. Ellis.
The award will be presented by Britt Slattery, the recipient of the previous award who was also instrumental in founding the CCLC. The presentation will take place at the Welcome Dinner preceding CCLC’s 2015 Turning a New Leaf Conference on Friday, November 13, at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson, Maryland. The conference educates professionals on sustainable landscaping and development best practices.
The Marcy Damon Conservation Landscaping Award was created by the CCLC to honor former Council chair and Maryland naturalist and educator, Marcy Damon. Damon passed away in 2013 from acute myeloid leukemia. Damon spent many years contributing passionately to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s effort to “Save the Bay,” and her dedication to sustainable landscaping, habitat preservation, and environmental education was inspirational.
Altman, as Director of the Adkins Arboretum, steered the mission towards educating the public about conservation landscaping, played a role overseeing the First Stop for the Bay campaign, and oversaw the project to create the book “Chesapeake Gardening and Landscaping: The Essential Green Guide”, which took several years from idea to fruition. The book is a comprehensive guide on how to create more eco-friendly landscapes.
CCLC encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to join the non-profit organization. For more information and to register for the dinner and the conference, visit www.chesapeakelandscape.org/new-leaf.
jenifer e e says
Brava, Ellie!