WINNERS

More than 100 community and business leaders gathered at a gala reception hosted by the Lehigh Valley Branch of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council at DeSales University's University Center on Nov. 27 to recognize green projects, organizations and individuals.

Sustainability Awards

Easton Mayor Sal Panto was honored as the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of sustainable design, construction and management within the Lehigh Valley. Among his achievements, the mayor was applauded for his support of sustainable planning and implementation.

Edward Hozza Jr., mayor of Whitehall Township, accepted the Sustainable Community Award on behalf of his municipality. Accomplishments include multiple incentives for residents to reduce power consumption and waste streams while also promoting and supporting greenway projects such as the Ironton Trail and the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail.

Allentown School District, with three Gold LEED certified schools, took top honors as the Lehigh Valley's “Green” School District. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification developed by the United States Green Building Council to recognize sustainability.

Nazareth Middle School, which achieved LEED Gold certification, was named Best Public Project while Bennett Toyota/Scion, also a LEED gold project, won Best Private Project. Muhlenberg College was awarded the Green Campus Award.