Environmental honors for local business

GREELEY — Heron’s Eye Communications, based in Greeley, received a 2008 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its work on the public television documentary film “Nature’s Keepers: A Community of Conservationists.” To commemorate the Governor’s Award, state Senator Lisa Baker (pictured at the left in the photo) recently presented Krista Gromalski of Heron’s Eye Communications with a congratulatory citation. “I take great pride in recognizing an organization that adheres to the highest standards of service and contributes in a meaningful way toward a better and more productive society,” said Senator Baker. Nature’s Keepers will premiere on regional public television stations this fall, as well as on stations across the state and in New York and Ohio. A complete schedule of air dates will be available soon at www.natures-keepers.org. Heron’s Eye Communications—a publishing, marketing and project management firm co-founded in 2006 by writers and activists Gromalski and Sandy Long—raised funds to produce Nature’s Keepers, coordinated interview subjects and filming locations, and publicized the inspiring story of the people of Pike County who are taking a leadership role on land stewardship and smart growth. The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, a regional land trust, is a Nature’s Keepers project partner. Film sponsors include the Pennsylvania Film Office, Davis R. Chant Realtors, Hotel Fauchere, and hundreds of local individuals and businesses. “Nature’s Keepers presents Pike County as a model for other communities struggling with similar challenges,” says Gromalski. “We are honored to be recognized for our role in highlighting the important grassroots conservation work being done locally.” In 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell recognized nine PA businesses and organizations that are adopting environmentally friendly practices and technologies and are working to revitalize communities, reduce pollution, and educate the public on the benefits of being good stewards of the state’s natural resources. Heron’s Eye Communications was also recently honored at an Earth Day gala dinner in Harrisburg organized by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Former Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty provided the keynote address, congratulating Gromalski and Long and challenging others to follow their environmental leadership. “These businesses and organizations, large and small, all have one thing in common—they look at environmental challenges as opportunities to do things differently,” said Governor Rendell in announcing the recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. “These awards recognize and celebrate that unique perspective and can-do spirit that makes Pennsylvania a progressive place to do business.”