Clean Air Partners' Annual Awards Honors Children and Local Businesses for Tremendous Air Quality Achievements

BALTIMORE, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Air Partners, a leading air quality organization in the DC-Baltimore metropolitan region, hosted its 8^th Annual Awards Celebration at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland. The 2016 Awards Celebration recognized the achievements of students, Solar Mowing, and Breathe DC for their dedication to improving the region's air quality. The full list of award winners can be found at www.cleanairpartners.net.

"Air quality is an important topic for our health and for the environment. The innovative approach of the organizations and the creativity of the students celebrated today is truly inspirational. We are grateful for their efforts as we continue to raise awareness in our region about air quality," says Clean Air Partners Board Chair, Brian O'Malley.

The Maryland Zoo served as an exceptional venue for the event given its advocacy work not only for animal conservation, but also for the conservation of natural resources. Special guests and speakers included:

• Luke H. Clippinger, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Maryland House of Delegates. Clippinger is recognized for his work to advance alternative energy and for other important issues in Baltimore.
• Tony Pagnotti, Meteorologist, Fox45. Pagnotti is one of many regional meteorologists supporting Clean Air Partners' work and messaging by sharing air quality forecast information with viewers.
• Sharon Bowen, Education Manager, The Maryland Zoo. Bowen leads the Zoo's educational outreach efforts and programs, from free school field trips to ZOOmobile presentations. 

The Clean Air Partners Most Valuable Partners were awarded to Solar Mowing and Breathe DC.

Breathe DC is the fiscal agent of the DC Asthma Coalition, a collaborative partnership with more than 90 active members. Breathe DC's mission promotes healthy lifestyles and prevents lung disease through advocacy, education, and program services, especially in communities affected by health disparities. "From Camp Breathe Happy to the Breathe Easy Home Improvement Project, our wide range of education and outreach efforts ensure we're reaching those most affected by poor air quality, and working with organizations like Clean Air Partners is important for gaining more awareness in the region," said Dr. Janet Phoenix, Manager of Asthma and Health Education Services.

Solar Mowing was awarded for providing Maryland residents with emissions free lawn services. Solar Mowing Founder and Owner Lyn DeWitt says, "According to EPA estimates, a typical gasoline-powered mower emits as much hourly pollution as 8 cars! Solar Mowing helps address this issue, and our eco-friendly services have successfully prevented about 80,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere from 2009 through 2016."

Laura Armstrong, Sustainability and Maryland Green Registry Coordinator with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), was honored with the 2016 Clean Air Partners Champion Award. Laura has worked with MDE for 18 years, helping businesses adopt a proactive approach to environmental management. As Green Registry Coordinator, Laura works with organizations across Maryland to promote and recognize environmental best practices.

Donald Belle was awarded this year's Clean Air Partners Champion Honorable Mention. Donald is the Environmental Outreach Educator for Prince George's County Public Schools and is a long-time environmental education advocate, particularly for the Clean Air Partners Air Beam pilot project.

The first place Clean Air Partners student awards went to:

Slogan Contest Winners

Category 1 (grades 4-6):
Jaeya Taxali
Crossfield Elementary School, Fairfax County, VA
"Find a partner to go to school. Stop Pollution! Carpooling's the solution."

Category 2 (grades 7-8):
Charlotte Walker
Blue Ridge Middle School, Loudoun County, VA
"Show you care, clean our air, ride a bike and do your share!"

Poster Contest Winners

Category 1 (grades 4-6):
Jocelin Flores-Jimenez
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School, Baltimore County, MD

Category 2 (grades 7-8):
Kara Edington
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School, Baltimore County, MD

About Clean Air Partners
Clean Air Partners is a public-private partnership that educates the greater metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region about the health risks associated with poor air quality and the impacts everyday actions have on the environment. For more than 18 years, Clean Air Partners has helped individuals and organizations take simple actions to reduce their impact on the environment and exposure to air pollution during unhealthy air quality days. Clean Air Partners' Air Quality App is a free resource that provides air quality forecasts and real-time health notification. For more information and to download the app, visit www.cleanairpartners.net.

About Clean Air Partners "On the Air" Curriculum and Outreach Program
The Clean Air Partners infographic, slogan, and poster contests are launched each year through the "On the Air" education curriculum. On the Air reaches tens of thousands of students across the region using hands-on activities to teach students about the affect poor air quality has on their health and the environment.

SOURCE Clean Air Partners