GEORGETOWN, Del., March 15, 2024 – The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) recognized the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award winners at a luncheon on Thursday, March 7, at Plantation Lakes Golf and Country Club in Millsboro, Del.

David Baird, district coordinator at SCD, welcomed over 80 guests, including award recipients, conservation partners and local dignitaries then provided opening remarks.

“This is more than doing what you have to and moving on, it’s putting projects on the ground that have a positive impact on the community,” said Baird. “Fortunately, everyone in this room is prepared to handle the challenges, which is something that does not go unrecognized.” Baird continued.

Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager introduced staff in attendance, remarking, “Today means so much to me. We all know that not everything goes as planned out in the field, but the key thing is having these partnerships, relationships, collaboration in the field, where we can discuss and figure out how to solve problems; that is our strength,” Watson explained.

“We know people are doing good work and we want to encourage additional conservation and water quality practices, above and beyond the stormwater regulations. I’m always inspired by seeing what people are doing, and it’s inspiring for others too, and that’s what we want to highlight. We’re in the third year and I’m proud of how this award continues to evolve,” Watson explained.

During the awards ceremony SCD unveiled videos created for each winner to showcase the winner’s enthusiasm, mindfulness, and dedication to protecting natural resources. The full playlist can be found at https://tinyurl.com/SCDCSA2024.

For 2024, 22 entries were submitted in seven categories. Award recipients were selected by a panel of eight judges comprised of SCD staff and a board member along with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, and the Sussex Preservation Coalition.

The 2024 CSA winners are: Design Team - Sussex County Engineering for the Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Facility; Developer - Carl M. Freeman Companies for the Tower Hill community; Green Conservation -  Kinsley Construction, Inc. for the Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Facility; HOA – Sawgrass; Home Builder – Beazer Homes; Project Manager - Michael McClintock of Ryan Homes; Site Contractor, Commercial - Corrado Construction Co. for the Lodge at Historic Lewes; and Site Contractor, Residential - Kinsley Construction, Inc. for the Atlantic East community.

SCD held the inaugural Conservation Stewardship Award in 2022 and is catalyzing voluntary conservation through appreciation of organizations and individuals. For more information, visit www.sussexconservation.org. Entry forms for 2025 will be available in the fall.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

DESIGN TEAM

Sussex County Engineering accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for design team on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for the Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Facility. Pictured, front row from left, Helen Naylor and Valerie Thompson, project engineers, back row, Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager, Gina Jennings, Sussex County finance director, John Rieley, county council vice president and SCD board member, Hans Medlarz, ret. county engineer, Mike Harmer, county engineer, Todd Lawson, county administrator, and

David Baird, SCD district coordinator.

DEVELOPER

Carl M. Freeman Companies accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for developer on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for the Tower Hill community. Pictured, front row from left, Erika Cook, director of marketing, Rachel Allen, development manager, Smith Purdum, senior land development manager, Lisa Meck, community development director, back row, Rick Shelton, A-Del Construction site superintendent, Kate Gemma, strategic planning and development manager, Josh Mastrangelo, senior vice president, Chris Veirs, information technology director and Jensen Haas, sales and marketing coordinator.

GREEN CONSERVATION & RESIDENTIAL SITE CONTRACTOR

Kinsley Construction, Inc, accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for green conservation and residential site contractor, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for their work on the Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Facility and Atlantic East community. Pictured, front row from left, Patrick Kintz, general superintendent, Kevin Thompson, foreman, back row, Jason Stouffer, chief operating officer, M. Dean Peiffer, environmental compliance manager and Chase Flickinger, environmental compliance officer.

HOA

The Sawgrass Homeowners Association accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship HOA Award, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for their community enhancement efforts to add trees and native plants to the common areas to meet their goal of reducing stormwater runoff, improving infiltration, air and water quality. Pictured from left, Donna Voigt, board of directors secretary and liaison to grounds and beautification committee, Kathy Dougherty and John Zuna, grounds and beautification committee co-chairs.

HOME BUILDER

Beazer Homes accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for large home builder on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Pictured, front row from left, Larry Chazin, area construction manager, Gavin Robinson, vice president operations, Dan Marinucci, purchasing manager, Jim Manley, construction manager, back row, Nita Beanland, CMS Environmental Solutions (CMSES) division manager, Ryan Cooper, CMSES area manager, Lindsey Timmons, land coordinator, Jenn Jackson, land manager and Michael White, senior construction manager.

PROJECT MANAGER

Michael McClintock, Ryan Homes project manager, second from left, received the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for residential project manager on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for Alderleaf Meadows. Celebrating his accomplishment, from left, are Mark Janus, regional production manager, Owen Thomas, division manager and Brennan Lafferty, production manager.

COMMERCIAL SITE CONTRACTOR

Corrado Construction Co. accepts the 2024 Conservation Stewardship Award for commercial site contractor on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for the Lodge at Historic Lewes. Pictured, from left, are Jerry Denney, senior vice president, Brian Felicia, president and Michele Cetola, office manager.