King County Executive Ron Sims has recognized 19 outstanding teachers, students, staff, programs and schools doing exceptional work to protect the environment at an awards ceremony at Mercer View Community Center on Mercer Island. The recipients of the Earth Heroes at School Awards were nominated by colleagues and classmates who wanted to show their on-going commitment to preserving the natural environment through educational efforts.

Two Rivers Alternative School of North Bend was a winner in the school category, Bill Hayden of Snoqualmie Elementary School made the teacher’s list and Trish Hamilton of Cherry Valley Elementary in Duvall, along with Selim Uzuner and the Tolt Middle School Recycling Club of Tolt Middle School in Carnation, were winners in the staff category.

“I am so pleased by the number of nominations we received for our first Earth Heroes at School Awards,” said Sims. “From involving students in hands-on environmental projects, to setting up innovative and effective recycling programs at schools, our teachers, students and staff are making a difference. It is truly inspiring.

“Our Earth Heroes at School are true models of environmental stewardship demonstrating to others in schools, classrooms and communities the kind of impact we all can make in preserving our natural environment for future generations,” Sims added.

Launched last year, the initiative celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing our natural environment. It outlines a number of innovative programs that are working hard to maintain the rich integrity of our region, as well as our high quality of life. It actively engages the involvement of businesses, local government, organizations, employees, youth, schools and the broader community to make a difference.