26 Projects Advancing Cleaner Air, Water, Environmental Stewardship Across Pennsylvania Recognized With 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
(PA Environment Digest Blog) On June 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced 26 projects from across the Commonwealth have received the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, honoring innovative efforts that are improving air and water quality, reducing pollution, restoring ecosystems, and building healthier, more sustainable communities throughout Pennsylvania.
The award-winning projects include installing community air quality monitors, developing passive treatment systems for abandoned mine drainage, diverting surplus food to local food banks, restoring streams and watersheds, expanding recycling efforts, and advancing environmental education and stewardship.
Awards were given to organizations in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Indiana, Lancaster, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.
— Lifetime Achievement Award
DEP is also recognizing Michelle Dunn with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for her 22 years of leadership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Dunn helped transform Pick Up Pennsylvania into the Commonwealth’s signature community improvement initiative, supporting thousands of cleanup events each year and mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers to reduce litter, beautify communities, and promote environmental stewardship.
— Fayette County
Fayette County Recycling Program/Keep Fayette County Green – Luke Hamaker Fayette County’s Recycling Program Ambassador: The Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center and Keep Fayette County Green raised awareness about recycling to the greater community by utilizing youth ambassadors who are passionate about recycling. The youth ambassador, Luke Hamaker, helped organize multiple cleanups, which resulted in the collection of 8,000 pounds of plastic film, three tons of trash and over 1,200 tires. Through Fayette County’s Recycling Ambassador program, the county now has over 400 recycling rangers.
Read the rest of the article to learn about the other winners!
From left: Jessica Shirley, Secretary, PA Department of Environmental Protection; Thomas Gilbert, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Phobe Wetzel, Chair, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Michele Dunn, 2026 Governors Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Shannon Reiter, Executive Director, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Natasha Fackler, Chief of Staff, PA Department of Environmental Protection; Heidi Pedicone, Director of Programs, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
