Rich Giordano to be honored by Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education with Meigs Award – timesherald
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is honoring Rich Giordano, the president of the Upper Roxborough Civic Association, with the Henry Meigs Environmental Leadership Award on Saturday, January 7 at 11 am.
Rich Giordano has worked to preserve open space in Roxborough for over 20 years and worn a number of hats. He is serving as president of the Upper Roxborough Civic Association, is a founder and co-leader of Friends of the Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve, and co-founder and trustee of the Roxborough Manayunk Conservancy. He is also an integral part of the ‘Two on Tuesday’ group that commits two hours every week to land stewardship at a number of public sites in Roxborough. His work has also touched the Schuylkill Center, where he has been a Toad Detour volunteer, a stewardship volunteer, and a grandfather to a Nature Preschool student.
Rich has worked on innumerable zoning issues in the community, ensuring protection of steep slopes, floodplains, and the historic quality of our neighborhoods. He has committed countless hours to planting trees, removing invasive plants, and picking up trash and litter in order to improve the health of our local ecosystem.
“Over the past ten years or so,” noted Rich, “I’ve often been the public face of a collective effort to preserve and restore open spaces in the lower Northwest.” I am proud to accept this award as a representative of that collaborative effort.”
“Few people have worked harder to preserve Upper Roxborough’s quality of life than Rich,” said Mike Weilbacher, the center’s Executive Director. “We are proud and honored to acknowledge the important work Rich has performed for our community over the last decade-plus.”
The Henry Meigs Environmental Leadership Award was established in 2006 to honor environmental leaders who leave a meaningful and lasting impact on their community and the Philadelphia region, and who embody the qualities of leadership, integrity, and vision. Named for one of the Center’s founders and its longest-serving trustee, previous Meigs honorees include former governor Ed Rendell, artist Stacy Levy, and environmental center founder Jerome Shabazz.
What: Meigs Environmental Leadership Award Ceremony, presented to a leader in the environmental arena for long-term visionary service to the region and its environment.
Recipient: Roxborough resident Rich Giordano
When: Saturday, January 7, 11am
Where: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Admission: Free
About the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
The Schuylkill Center was founded in 1965 as Philadelphia’s first environmental education center. Our 340 acres of fields and forests serve as a living laboratory to foster appreciation, deepen understanding, and encourage stewardship of the environment. We offer a wildlife rehabilitation clinic, an environmental art program, volunteer opportunities, and educational programs for all ages, including Nature Preschool.
Photos by Rick Cawley
