The Ecology Action Center presents the annual McLean County Green Awards to recognize efforts of individuals or organizations working to improve our local environment. Nominations are accepted annually, with recipients being named at the EAC’s annual fall wine-tasting fundraiser.
The McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award identifies businesses, schools or organizations with outstanding recycling programs or waste reduction efforts. While nominations will be accepted for any recycling or waste reduction project, areas of growing interest include source reduction of hazardous wastes or zero-waste programs.
In tribute to early EAC Director Anne McGowan who passed away suddenly in March of 2015, we renamed the World of Difference Award in her honor. The Anne McGowan Making a World of Difference Award recognizes outstanding projects, activities, or individuals in McLean County who promote environmental awareness or natural resource conservation. Michelle Covi, former Director of the Ecology Action Center and friend to Anne McGowan, recently described Anne’s ability to inspire others.
Anne was a catalyst for action. She was energetic and never hesitated to get her hands dirty. Her natural curiosity and love of the natural world fueled her passion for wildlife exploration and preservation. She shared her love with children and adults alike when she conducted nature walks, wildflower walks, and nature programs. She inspired and nurtured life-long dedication to environmental awareness and conservation in children, college students, and adults whose lives she touched.
| Anne McGowan World of Difference Award Recipients | McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award Recipients | |
| 2019 | Anne McGowan World of Difference Award Recipients Nominations due October 17, 2019 | McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award Recipients Nominations due October 17, 2019 |
| 2018 | Sherrie Snyder of the Wild Ones | Julie McCoy, School Nutrition Director at District 87 |
| 2017 | Perry Mayer – Director of Building Operations, YWCA of McLean County | Dr. Tom Bierma, ISU Environmental Health Department |
| 2016 | Jeff Pritts – General Manager, Bloomington-Normal Marriott | Bloomington Normal Marriott |
| 2015 | Andrew Johnson – General Manager, Connect Transit | Home Sweet Home Ministries |
| 2014 | Carolyn and Roy Treadway | Westminster Village Green Team |
| 2013 | WGLT’s “Good to Go Commuter Challenge” program | Jewel-Osco |
| 2012 | Sugar Grove Nature Center | ISU Student Bio-diesel project |
| 2011 | Derek McCracken, Myra Gordon, Anne McGowan, and Michelle Covi | Illinois State University Farm Compost Program |
| 2010 | Karen Lowery – Bloomington High School, Brian Fitzgerald- YouthBuild McLean County | First Christian Church – Disciples of Christ and Recycling Furniture for Families |
| 2009 | Nick Jordan | Jerry Swartz, founder of the McLean County plastic garden pot recycling program |
| 2008 | Susan Cantrell | Hudson Ag 4-H Club |
| 2007 | Margaret Hollowell and Ornatrix Hair Salon owner Trisha Wulf | Brigham Elementary School Living Green Team and Bill’s Key and Lock Shop |
| 2006 | Mike Callahan- Director of the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District | Eric and Marty Payne and Caroline Wade |
| 2005 | Drake Zimmerman- Friends of Kickapoo Creek | Dallas Wickenhauser, R. B. White, Inc., Simon and Sui Fong, Orient Gourmet, and Tracy Cunanan |
