Stormwater Partner Earns Pioneer Woman of the Year!

The City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program would not be successful if it weren’t for our gracious, committed partners. Our work’s outcome is enhanced due to the amount of talent and knowledge we are privileged to work with every single day.

That’s why we are pleased to announce that Sherri Akers, a community environmental advocate and supporter of the Stormwater Program who lives in Mar Vista, was recently awarded the 2010 Pioneer Woman of the Year in Council District 11 by Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

“I am truly honored to accept this award as it recognizes that each of us can make a difference. I feel very lucky to be part of a community that is dedicated to public service and shares my passion for conservation and environmental change,” said Akers after she received the award. “We have the perfect ingredients n strong civic support from Councilman Rosendahl, the Mar Vista Community Council and an engaged community with an environmental focus. It’s exciting to see our efforts seeding action in other communities.”

To read more about Sherri’s great work and the award she worked so hard to earn, please check out this great piece in The Argonaut.

The Stormwater Program congratulates you Sherri Akers!

Friends of the Ballona Wetlands Honor Cynthia M. Ruiz, Los Angeles Public Works President

On April 29, 2010 at an evening awards ceremony held on the 51st floor of City National Plaza, the Friends of the Ballona Wetlands recognized Los Angeles Board of Public Works Commissioner Cynthia M. Ruiz as a “Watershed Warrior” for her ongoing efforts to protect Ballona Wetlands. Commissioner Ruiz and Terry O’Day of Santa Monica City Council were presented with the first-ever “Passionate Pickleweed Award” for their work on urban and coastal water quality.

During her acceptance speech, Ruiz noted that she is a life-long environmentalist who believes nature holds intrinsic value. "The vitality of Los Angeles depends upon the oceans' health for the oxygen we breathe, the food that we eat, and a livable climate," said Ruiz. “It is an honor to be recognized, but the true change begins from the ground up, where youth, educators, residents, businesses and City officials are all working together for the vision of a cleaner, greener LA.”

Cynthia Ruiz has been the president of the Board of Public Works since 2005, and throughout her tenure has encouraged Los Angeles residents to adopt better pollution prevention practices. Ruiz is also a strong supporter of Kids Ocean Day held annually at Dockweiler Beach, and has led the way for Los Angeles to become an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Ruiz also pioneered the Los Angeles Environmental Youth Conference, now on its third year. The event has drawn an average of 5,000 students in previous years.

Friends of the Ballona Wetlands is a 32-year-old nonprofit organization that strives for the restoration and protection of Ballona Creek’s dwindling wetlands. It works to involve and educate the public as advocates and stewards of this precious resource.

*Photo courtesy of chritamaephoto.com.