Celebrate Vermonters making a difference for Vermont’s environment!

Nominations are now open for the annual GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Vermont is filled with people and organizations working to protect and improve our environment. We share that passion – so we present the award to recognize Vermonters who epitomize the dedication and perseverance exhibited by Milton, Vermont resident Meeri Zetterstrom to better Vermont’s natural resources. The award was created in 2010 to honor Meeri’s legacy and recognize other Vermonters and Vermont organizations working to protect and enhance our environment.

Meeri was a determined advocate who spent 16 to 18 hours a day studying ospreys and lobbying the state, utilities, and private landowners on their behalf. Her work to protect ospreys and their habitat ultimately led to the birds being removed from the endangered species list. The GMP-Zetterstrom award includes a $2,500 donation to further the winner’s cause, and is one of Vermont’s most respected honors for environmentalism.

So, if you know an environmental hero in Vermont, nominate them!

Nominations must be submitted by March 31st, with a winner selected later this spring. The Nomination Guidelines has the details on the nomination application requirements.

Past GMP-Zetterstrom Award Winners

2022, Mike Korkuc, a volunteer who led successful Loon recovery efforts at Lake Dunmore and surrounding lakes
2021, Angella Gibbons, who founded EarthWalk Vermont
2020, Brian Lowe, who has helped hundreds of American kestrels successfully hatch and fledge in Vermont over two decades
2019, Eric Hanson, a biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, who helped save endangered loons in Vermont
2018, Steve Parren, a biologist for the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife
2017, Marty Illick of the Lewis Creek Association
2016, Lake Champlain International, a nonprofit working to protect, restore and revitalize Lake Champlain and its communities
2015, Roy Pilcher, founder of the Rutland County Chapter of Audubon
2014, Kelly Stettner, who founded the Black River Action Team in southern Vermont
2013, The Lake Champlain Committee, which works to protect and improve Lake Champlain
2012, Margaret Fowle, who led Vermont’s peregrine falcon restoration program
2011, Michael Smith, the founder of Rutland’s Pine Hill Park
2010, Sally Laughlin, a scientist whose work was instrumental in restoring three species of endangered birds in Vermont

Related Articles