At CSU, Chico’s This Way to Sustainability Conference during the first week of November “Greenie “ Awards were presented to leaders and organizations in Chico who have advanced the cause of sustainability. Awards are presented to a nonprofit organization, a business and an individual.

The nonprofit award went to River Partners, an organization dedicated to creating wildlife habitat for the benefit of people and the environment. Over the past 11 years, River Partners has restored more than 6,000 acres of riverbanks and floodplains, providing critical habitat for wildlife and sustainable solutions for California’s rivers. Its habitat restoration work supports efforts to sequester greenhouse gases, improve water and air quality, recover endangered species, improve public safety and protect open space. Irv Schiffman, River Partners board chair, accepted the Greenie at the award ceremony on Nov. 6.

“River Partners appreciates having our river and floodplain restoration work recognized by the Greenie Award,” Schiffman said. “We hope this will raise awareness that restoring riparian areas benefits public safety as well as conservation.”

Smucker’s Natural Foods won the Greenie Award for the business category. Their local division, R.W. Knudsen, was recognized for its deep commitment to sustainability and for its ability to focus on all dimensions of sustainability—the economy, the environment and the larger community.

The individual award went to Robyn DiFalco, CSU, Chico Associated Students sustainability coordinator. In her role as sustainability coordinator, DiFalco facilitates the application process for student-driven sustainability projects, administers the distribution of funds, and assists the students as they implement their projects. She also assists all AS departments in advancing their sustainability efforts and oversees the AS Recycling Program, the Environmental Action Resource Center and the Sustainability Collaborative internship program.

“Winning this award tells me that my efforts are recognized and esteemed by my colleagues,” DiFalco said. “I really feel very privileged to have the opportunity to do this work that I love, to work with so many enthusiastic young adults who are optimistically working to change the world for the better, and to have the support of my peers and superiors at this university and within the AS.”

Nominations for the Greenies Awards were open to faculty, staff, students and community partners of the conference.