Pike activists applauded

Two receive NEPA Environmental Partnership Awards

By SANDY LONG

LACKAWAXEN, PA — Activism isn’t always easy. Just ask Gordon Wildermuth, who spent countless hours calling voters and staffing the polls in support of Pike County’s successful Scenic Rural Character Preservation Bond Referendum. Tom Zeterberg can tell you what it’s like to withstand a barrage of comments and questions at a public planning session—and to continue completing the meeting’s agenda. These are just single examples of the many ways in which the men invest their time and energy to help preserve Pike County’s precious natural resources.

Their contributions were recently recognized by the Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) Environmental Partners, who selected the men to receive a NEPA Environmental Partnership Award. Now in its 17th year, the awards are presented for achieving excellence in environmental protection or conservation in Northeastern Pennsylvania while involving and working successfully with others in pursuit of these accomplishments.

Wildermuth and Zeterberg were recognized for their efforts as strong advocates of green infrastructure planning, resource conservation, smart growth and innovative planning implementation tools as they worked to address the tremendous growth pressures facing Pike County and their local municipal officials.

Described as “model community leaders, true activists, tireless volunteers and committed advocates of natural resource conservation,” the two men donate many hours to such volunteer roles as the following: the Shohola/Lackawaxen Comprehensive Plan Committee, Pike County Planning Commission, Alliance to Keep Pike Green, Pike Scenic Rural Preservation Board and Bond Referendum, PPL’s Public Advisory Board and Pike Conservation Partnership. They are also directors of the Lackawaxen River Conservancy.

Working with a variety of public and private partners as they persevered over the past six years helped to win the award for the men. Zeterburg is currently traveling, but speaking on behalf of both, Wildermuth said, “It is, of course, agreeable to have our work and involvement in environmental protection recognized but we work in conjunction with many others. We feel that the award is not only for Tom and me but for our fellow activists.”

Asked why he spends his time on such issues when he could be simply enjoying the region’s abundant natural resources, Wildermuth said, “I take a more activist role as I grow older and better realize the horrendous impact of human activities on all other forms of life on this planet. In addition, the inept, uninformed and unreasonable actions of our present national administration in most areas, especially concerning environmental protection, calls for all to do what they can to help protect the earth.”

Helping to offset the long hours, Wildermuth cited the added bonus of meeting like-minded people along the activist path. “A major benefit of activist endeavors are the wonderful people you are privileged to meet,” he added. Even so, Wildermuth admitted, his wife, Hannelore, wouldn’t mind seeing him a bit more often.

The NEPA Environmental Partners include Wilkes University, Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s NE Office, Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance, Procter and Gamble Paper Products Company, PPL Corporation, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.