Hillsborough County Seeks Environmental Champion Nominations

RIVERVIEW, FL – Theodore Roosevelt has a long history with Hillsborough County, as evidenced with the Ybor City signs that honor his visit with the Rough Riders. However, a county award recognizes another of Roosevelt’s famed work: his efforts to protect the environment.

The Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Management now is accepting applications for the Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners gives the award to a group of individual who exemplifies dedication to preserving the county’s national resources.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 and can be sent to Ross Dickerson at DickersonR@HCFLGov.net or by mail to Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Management, 10940 McMullen Road, Riverview, FL 33569.

Tampa native and longtime Tampa Tribune journalist and editorial writer, Joe Guidry, won the inaugural award earlier this year. Guidry, a University of South Florida graduate, championed environmental causes in Hillsborough County for more than four decades.

“Preserving land in a high-growth county like this is the right thing to do,” Guidry said. “You’ll never be sorry.”

Nominees must live or work in Hillsborough County and “be someone who shows persistence and dedication to long-term conservation of the county’s natural resources, demonstrates integrity in performance toward conservation goals and displays attributes of true conservation stewardship,” according to the award’s criteria.

The Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program General Committee will review the nominations and recommend a recipient to county commissioners. The board will host an awards ceremony in the spring that coincides with National Arbor Day.

During Roosevelt’s term as the 26th president of the United States, he placed more than 200 million of acres under public protection.

For more information about the Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award, call (813) 672-7876.

Image via Hillsborough County Government website