FRISCO - Eight locals were honored for their efforts to protect and preserve the environment during the third annual Summit Recycling Project (SRP) and Blue River Group of the Sierra Club's Green Scene Awards ceremony on Earth Day Thursday night.

"There are so many people in our community who have made a commitment to walk more gently on our Earth and to take action to preserve our environment," said SRP director Carly Wier. "Earth Day is the perfect time to recognize them."

The Julia Butterfly Individual Achievement Award, named in honor of a young woman who became a voice for preservation of ancient forests, was presented to Jim Lamb of Breckenridge.

Lamb was described as a "well-rounded environmentalist," for his work to integrate less-polluting biodiesel into Breckenridge's fleet of diesel vehicles and obtain open space. Additionally, he has set an example for sustainable living in restoring his historic home.

The Essential Earthy Employee Award went to Christine Miller of the Breckenridge Medical Center. Miller received more than a dozen nominations from her co-workers, who cited her efforts to recycle and reduce waste.

"It was evident from those nominations that she has inspired her co-workers to recycle and reduce waste," Wier noted. "She even takes her own time to find ways to recycle materials we don't yet accept up here in Summit County."

Erin Stebbins, a 13-year-old Summit County resident and avid recycler, was awarded the Lisa Simpson Outstanding Youth Award for having adopted the pond by Big-O Tires in Frisco and an open space parcel below Quandary Peak.

The Greener Summit Business Award was presented to Mark and Mel Glenn, owners of Conscious Coffees, also known as Breckenridge Coffee Roasters, in recognition of their commitment to organic, fair-trade, shade-grown coffee and waste reduction.

"By supporting these socially and ecologically responsible coffee farming operations, Conscious Coffees has had a positive impact on a global scale while bringing us terrific coffee here in Summit County," Wier said. "They also have researched and found solutions to recycling plastic bags that can't yet be recycled in Summit County."

"We were pretty excited the community recognizes us for what we're trying to do," said Mark Glenn. "It just goes to show there's some pretty good awareness in this little county. That's really important. Without awareness, the circle is not complete."

The Teachers and Youth for a Better Environment Award was presented to the Learning Education through Alternative Programming class recycling team of Summit High School. The students in this alternative learning program have taken charge of the school's recycling program and have volunteered at the Summit Recycling Project's drop-off centers for the past two years.

"They're excited; they think it's great," said Jon Wischmeyer, an alternative education teacher at the high school. "They work real hard to go out and create a positive interaction with the community."

An unadvertised and special award, the Recycling Goddess Award, went to Sue Rodgers of Summit Cove for her commitment to creative recycling practices and waste reduction.

"Sue is one of our heroes - a local waste warrior," Wier said. "She doesn't really believe that all of our so-called disposable products are truly disposable."

Some of her creative recycling practices include melting her son's old crayons into new ones, organizing toiletry and clothing exchanges in her Summit Cove neighborhood and saving plastic bread clasps for a yet-to-be-determined use.

Scott Hummer was awarded the Green Machine Government Award for his work toward water conservation and open space preservation in Colorado. Hummer has served as a Colorado State Water Commissioner for 14 years and is chair of the Summit County Open Space Advisory Council.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of The Wilderness Act, the Wild Wilderness Wonder Award was presented to Currie Craven for his work as an advocate for wilderness.

Craven has been involved with the Friends of Eagle Nest Wilderness group for 10 years, has worked with the Wilderness Stewardship Network in Colorado, and was active with the White River National Forest Plan Revision process. Recently, he volunteered to help start the Friends of Dillon Ranger District.

Jane Stebbins can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 228, or jstebbins@summitdaily.com.