Environment DEC
From the December 2004 issue
DEC Employees Receive Awards for Environmental Stewardship
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proud to announce that two DEC employees received awards for their exemplary environmental stewardship.
The Catskill Center for
Conservation and Development
honored NYS DEC Natural
Resource Supervisor
Bill Rudge (blue shirt)
for his dedication
to maintaining
the ecosystems
of the Catskills
DEC's Region 3 Natural Resources Supervisor, Bill Rudge, received an award from the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development for his "Outstanding Contribution to the Environment." In addition, the Saratoga Tree Nursery's Manager, David Lee, received an award from the New York State Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation for his and his staff's dedication to growing American chestnut seedlings from nuts collected from trees that seem resistant to chestnut blight.
Bill Rudge
Bill Rudge was honored for his dedication to the health of the ecosystems of the Catskills. The award he received was created in 1974 as a way to give special recognition to people within the region who have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in the Catskills.
Bill began his career with DEC in 1980, and in 2000, he was promoted to his current position in New Paltz. In addition to his duties at DEC, Bill sits on several committees, including the Open Space Committee, the Upper Delaware Council and the Catskill Park Centennial Committee.
David Lee
David Lee and his staff received the "President's Award" from the American Chestnut Foundation. The foundation's goal is to restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States by using scientific research and a cultivation program developed by its founders.
The Saratoga Tree Nursery is a partner in this endeavor and in many other efforts to restore native plant species. It is becoming a leader in providing seedlings from New York State sources for conservation purposes to both the public and private sectors.
