On Tuesday, the Park Forest Environment Commission and the Sustainability Office announced the 2024 Katherine Katie Armstrong Sustainability Award recipients.
The Katherine "Katie" Armstrong Sustainability Award recognizes residential homes, housing cooperatives, businesses, churches, and community gardens dedicated to consciously practicing sustainable actions. Residents were encouraged to nominate any entity engaging in environmental initiatives such as installing rain gardens, planting natives, installing solar panels, or composting.
Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo explained that the award was established in 2018 to recognize and highlight individuals or group efforts within the Village that are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint. This initiative seeks to draw attention to those making significant contributions to environmental sustainability.
"We've received several nominations during the fall," Malfeo said. "So, we are honored to celebrate our winners next week."
The Environment Commission and Sustainability Office sent letters to the recipients that read, in part, "Your exceptional sustainability efforts embody the spirit of environmental stewardship that Katie Armstrong so passionately championed. Your dedication to creating a more sustainable future for Park Forest is truly inspiring, and we are thrilled to recognize your outstanding contributions."
A presentation will take place at Park Forest's first Regular and Rules Meeting of the new year, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. During the meeting, the three recipients will be presented with the Katie Armstrong Sustainability Award, and seven Honorable Mention awards. The Park Forest Board of Trustees will provide comments congratulating them.
Roughly 20 award winners have been named since 2018. A complete list of previous winners is available here.
The Park Forest Environment Commission, a volunteer group made up of residents, discusses various environmental issues affecting Park Forest and presents the Katherine "Katie" Armstrong Sustainability Award annually.
Below are the winners of the 2024 Katherine Katie Armstrong Sustainability Award recipients.
Veronica Wright and Family- Residential Home
Victor Blackful – Community Garden
Brandon Brown – Housing Cooperative