During
the April 15 City Council meeting, Mayor Mary Lou Pauly announced that Connie
Marsh was selected to receive the 2019
Ruth Kees Environmental Award — our community’s highest honor for
environmental advocates.
In
addition, the Save Cougar Mountain group received Issaquah’s Community
Environmental Award, which builds upon the legacy of the Kees award to
recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, groups and organizations.
Marsh was
selected for her leadership and dedication to environmental issues in our
community. For decades, Connie has been a stalwart environmental activist and
community resource in Issaquah, serving as a key leader in the Issaquah
Environmental Council during its full existence. She has also served on many
City committees and advisory groups, and devoted countless hours to faithfully
attending City Council, committee, board and commission meetings to advocate
for environmental issues.
This
namesake award is given to individuals whose sustained achievements are
especially noteworthy and deserving of special recognition.
Meanwhile,
Save Cougar Mountain was selected for its grassroots efforts to preserve land
previously proposed for development. The group organized and led a broad public
effort involving more than 2,500 supporters over two years, who successfully advocated
for a plan to preserve 46 acres
on Cougar Mountain.
This
award was created for individuals, groups or organizations who have resulted in
noteworthy efforts to conserve, protect and preserve Issaquah’s environmental
resources and attributes through community action.