[E-updates] First Annual Imagination & Place Environmental Award Presented

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY OF LAWRENCE, KS

Friday, April 29, 2005

Contact: Paul Hotvedt, (785) 841-2777 or 
Michelle Crank, City of Lawrence Waste Reduction Specialist, (785) 832-3016 

First Annual Imagination & Place Environmental Award Presented

(Lawrence, KS) - Imagination & Place, a collaborative effort of artists, environmentalists, community activists and scholars based at the Lawrence Arts Center, presented Community Mercantile with the 2005 Imagination & Place Environmental award last Friday during a ceremony at the Lawrence Arts Center.

The 2005 award category is Business Community and recognizes a Douglas County business that has made outstanding contributions or efforts towards a cleaner, more sustainable community.  

"The Community Mercantile was this year's winner due to the broad spectrum in which they include environmental sustainability into their operations, facility maintenance and public outreach", said Michelle Crank.  "When moving into their new location, they totally retrofitted their facility to include energy conservation features into their lighting, refrigeration, HVAC system among other upgrades."

"While the business mission of the Mercantile promotes and offers locally produced and/or certified organic products, they take an extra step and involve their employees to reduce, reuse and recycle all appropriate materials.  They have an extensive public education and outreach program that is impressive and was nonpareil with the other Nominees", concluded Crank. 

The Imagination & Place Environmental Award is an original piece of art, specially created by an artist living in Douglas County, who is personally committed to the preservation of the natural environment.  The creator of this year's award is Paul Hotvedt.  

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_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org