Service Award Named in Honor of Environmental Leader Tom ODell

In honor of Tom ODell’s many years of environmental service in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, The Rockfall Foundation has named its Distinguished Service Award in his memory. Rockfall recognized Tom’s many contributions to the natural world in 2016 by presenting him with the Distinguished Service Award.

With Tom’s recent passing, Rockfall is honoring his legacy with the renaming of this annual award. The Rockfall Foundation has now opened the nomination period for the 2018 Environmental Awards, and is accepting nominations until September 20, 2018.

Tom served more than a decade as chair of The Rockfall Foundation’s Awards Committee and Youth Scholarship Award, as well as over 40 years as chair for both the Westbrook Conservation Commission and the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District. His legacy includes the conservation of nearly 2,000 acres in Westbrook, including the Menuketesuck Greenway, as well as Westbrook’s Barrier Islands, designated as the Tom Odell Wildlife Conservation Area. Tom was also a founding member of Connecticut Association of Conservation Commissions and Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions.

The Rockfall Foundation is currently seeking nominations for the 2018 Environmental Awards which recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses for environmental efforts that contribute to the quality of life in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The two categories of awards are the Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award and Certificates of Appreciation. Read more about the two awards here. Awardees will be recognized at the Rockfall Foundation’s annual meeting and grants celebration on November 1st.

Nomination forms must be received by September 20, 2018 by email to amanda@rockfallfoundation.org or by mail to The Rockfall Foundation, deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457. Download a nomination form here or request one or more information
by calling 860-347-0340.
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About the Rockfall Foundation
Founded in 1935 by Middletown philanthropist Clarence S. Wadsworth, the Rockfall Foundation is one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations. The Foundation supports environmental education, conservation and planning initiatives in the Lower Connecticut River Valley through public programs and grants.  In addition, the Rockfall Foundation operates the historic deKoven House Community Center that offers meeting rooms and office space for non-profit organizations.