
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993                   TAG: 9311040223
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEIGHBORHOOD HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CARE

For 13 years, Northwest Roanoke residents have pitched in to pick up litter in their neighborhood.

They have helped each other out, doing odd jobs and repairs for minimal pay, clearing vacant lots, fixing up old homes and selling them at low cost.

On Wednesday, they were recognized for their efforts. The Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Association was given the Award of Excellence by the Clean Valley Council.

"This is a group that's not your stereotypical environmental group," said Ellen Aiken, the council's executive director. The neighbors don't rally for rain forests in faraway countries or fight to preserve the Northern spotted owl.

No, they fight to preserve their own back yards, their own neighborhoods, Aiken said, and so improve the quality of life for friends, neighbors and family.

Roanoke received the council's Government Award for expanding curbside recycling efforts, encouraging composting of yard debris, and improving the downtown recycling program.

The city Police Department received the Recycling Award. Police officers raised $561 since August 1992 by collecting aluminum cans from public events, such as First Fridays, and selling them to a recycler. The money goes to Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, a prevention program in public schools.

The council's Cleanup Award went to Explore Park, whose staff and volunteers cleaned up more than 2 tons of trash from old, illegal dumps on the property. They even hauled the trash by canoe across the Roanoke River to dispose of it properly, Aiken said.

And the Education Award went to William Byrd High School. Science students have been performing skits, making videotapes and working with community groups to raise awareness among other students and the community about the benefits of recycling.

Special recognition went to Rob Bowers, manager at the Lake Drive Plaza Kroger store in Vinton. Aiken said that every year, Bowers leads the drive to recycle old telephone books.

by CNB