Millard Canyon Preservation Organization to be Honored

The Council of Arroyo Seco organizations has announced the winners of this year’s Arroyo Verde Awards, which are given to people and organizations nominated by the public that “have made a valuable contribution to protecting and improving the Arroyo Seco Watershed and our local communities over the past year,” according to the Arroyo Seco Foundation.

The Arroyo and Foothills Conservancy will be recognized with the Greening the Arroyo organization award for their Millard Canyon preservation effort, which was recently completed. The Greening the Arroyo Award goes to “the organization that has made the biggest difference in improving the environment in the Arroyo.”

Through donations from individuals and community groups in Altadena and Pasadena and grants from various organizations, the , which is a notable habitat above Hahamongna Watershed for birds and plant life and acts as a corridor for animals like bears and mule deer.

You can read more about the Millard Canyon preservation here.

The awards will be presented at this year’s holiday celebration held at La Casita del Arroyo (131 South Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena) on Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The full list of 2012 Arroyo Verde Award winners is below, as listed on the Arroyo Seco Foundation’s website.

Best Advocacy

to the individual who has made the greatest contribution in improving policy, programs, or funding for the Arroyo.

Lee Zanteson

protecting Central Arroyo neighborhoods

Greening the Arroyo (Organization)

to the organization that has made the biggest difference in improving the environment in the Arroyo

Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy

Millard Canyon preservation

Greening the Arroyo (Agency)

to the city or governmental agency that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the stewardship of the Arroyo.

Pasadena Water & Power Department

Hahamongna Restoration and 100 Years of Service

Greening the Arroyo (Business)

to the business or commercial association that has contributed the most to the enhancement of the Arroyo

Theodore Payne Foundation

promoting and providing California-friendly plants

Best Volunteer

to an individual who has improved the Arroyo through consistent, dedicated physical labor throughout the year

Lin Cher

tireless dedication to all Arroyo Seco causes

Citizen Activist

to an individual who has shown leadership and mobilized others to improve the Arroyo

Dianne Patrizzi

keeping Hahamongna on the Pasadena agenda

Public Official

to an elected or appointed official or governmental employee who has made an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of the Arroyo Seco

Terry Tornek

Arroyo Seco champion on the Pasadena City Council

Lifetime Achievement

This award, which is not given every year, is confered on an individual who has devoted considerable energy and enthusiasm to protecting and promoting the Arroyo over many years

Lewis MacAdams

a lifetime of service to the Los Angeles River Watershed

Special Award

for championing the Hahamongna Canyon project through IRWMP

Meredith McKenzie

Cal Poly Professor and Director of the Urban Rivers Institute