The award is called the Joan Riehm Memorial Environmental Leadership Award and carries a monetary element and a plaque, which the group plans to present annually on Earth Day, said Partnership Director Brent Fryrear.
A former environmental reporter and deputy mayor of Louisville, among other things, Riehm spent her life trying to make Louisville a better place, Fryrear said.
Among her accomplishments, she was instrumental in bringing Louisville Metro into the Partnership for a Green City to join Jefferson County Public Schools and the University of Louisville. The organization, a collaboration to improve environmental education, environmental health and environmental management by three of Louisville’s largest public entities, is the first of its kind in the country.
Because of Riehm’s liflong public service, the steering committee wants to honor someone from public service with the first award, Fryrear said.
The Partnership is looking for nominations of public service employees or groups, specifically in the Partnership entities and quasi-governmental Louisville Regional Airport Authority, Louisville Water Company, Metropolitan Sewer District and Transit Authority of River City. All nominees should possess a leadership role in the promotion of environmental sustainability. There are no self-nominations.
Deadline is March 31. The award will be presented April 22.