GEORGETOWN, Del., March 11, 2022 – The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) recognized the inaugural Conservation Stewardship Award winners on Thursday, March 3, at Plantation Lakes Golf and Country Club in Millsboro, Del.

David Baird, district coordinator at SCD, welcomed over 75 guests consisting of award recipients, conservation partners and local dignitaries including state Rep. Ruth Briggs-King (R-37), Rep. Ronald E. Gray (R-38), Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent and Bill Pfaff, director of Sussex County Economic Development.

Keynote speaker David Small, former secretary for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), opened the awards ceremony. He recounted how 1990 was a big year in Delaware, from an environmental standpoint, with the passing of sediment and stormwater regulations. That bill led to a new relationship between DNREC and conservation districts, the delegated agency for sediment and stormwater regulations.

“I’m so happy to recognize great work,” Small beamed. “We don’t do enough of that; unfortunately, all you hear is the bad stuff. It’s so good to get together, learn from each other…  and celebrate organizations for going above compliance, seeing an issue and then doing the right thing.”

“This award was more than two years in the making,” explained Jessica Watson, sediment and stormwater program manager at SCD. “We wanted to recognize organizations who exceed regulations.” Through appreciation of these organizations, we hope to catalyze future voluntary conservation. From protecting natural resources during construction or enhancement and creation of habitat, it was evident that everyone here cares deeply about where they live and work.

Fourteen entries were submitted across four categories; award recipients were selected by a seven-person panel including SCD staff and conservation partners from DNREC, the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, and the Sussex County Engineering Department.

2022 Conservation Stewardship Award winners: 

• Developer
  o    Marsh Farm LLC (Residential) 

• Home Builder
  o   Jim Parker Builders, Inc. (1-50)
  o    D.R. Horton (50+)

• Homeowner Association
  o   Meadows of Beaver Creek (Open Space Management)
  o   Tributaries (Stormwater Management)

• Site Contractor
  o   Corrado Construction Co. (Commercial)
  o   Christiana Excavating Co. (Residential)

For more information visit the Conservation Stewardship Award page; entry forms for 2023 will be available in the fall. 

Photo Captions:

Mike and Kathy Horsey, center, owners of Marsh Farm LLC, accept the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for residential developer on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator; Alex Hawes, Common Sense Solutions (CSS); Joel Wharton, SCD chair; Ethan Reichhold, CSS; and Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.

Joel Wharton, center right, SCD chair, presents Jim Parker, owner of Jim Parker Builders, Inc., with the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for home builder, 1-50 homes, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator and Jessica Watson, sediment and stormwater program manager.

Joel Wharton, center right, SCD chair, presents Brian McManus, operations manager for D.R. Horton, with the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for home builder, over 51 homes, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are Rob Herring, superintendent, D.R. Horton; David Baird, SCD district coordinator; Lenny Leyanna, assistant superintendent; Penelope Brown, area construction manager; Jay Heilman, land development manager; Phil Terhune, superintendent with D.R. Horton; Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager; Bob Vantrease, division president; S. Chris Zakrociemski, NPDES compliance administrator; and Andrew Fillman, superintendent with D.R. Horton.

Debbie Anglin, center left, and Linda Gumeny, center right, of Meadows of Beaver Creek accept the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for homeowners association, open space management, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator, Bill Knox, MOBC president, Joel Wharton, SCD chair, and Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.

Burr Monroe, center, Tributaries president, accepts the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for homeowners association, stormwater management, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator; Casey Ramirez, Tributaries; Joel Wharton, SCD chair; Kait Monroe, Tributaries; and Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.

Jerry Denney, center, vice president of Corrado Construction, Co., accepts the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for commercial site contractor, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator, Greg Casenta, Corrado Construction, Co.; Joel Wharton, SCD chair, Kevin Rowe, Corrado Construction, Co.; and Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.

RJ Andrews, center, of Christiana Excavating, Co., accepts the 2022 Conservation Stewardship Award for residential site contractor, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Also pictured, from left, are David Baird, SCD district coordinator, Kenny Webb, Christiana Excavating Co. president; Joel Wharton, SCD chair; Donnie Pfahler, Christiana Excavating Co.; and Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.