Bordentown City Resident Recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" by Statewide Environmental Organization.

The New Jersey Environmental Lobby has selected Bordentown City resident Mike Hunninghake as its 2009 "Volunteer of the Year" for his efforts as the Chair of the City's Environmental Commission since its creation in 2002.

For almost 40 years, the NJ Environmental Lobby has represented the interests of New Jersey's citizens. Reflecting its founders' backgrounds in business, science, and academia, NJEL has been a moderate voice for policies that balance economic viability and environmental protection. NJEL's current Board is composed of independent individuals, each of whom is expert in one or more environmental subjects or related disciplines-recycling, energy, law, engineering, land use planning, chemistry, and economics.

According to NJ Environmental Lobby President Anne Poole, "During the evaluation of Bordentown City's recent "Green Town" application, it became clear that Mike is passionately devoted to his Bordentown City's environment. His objective is a sustainable, attractive environment that also benefits the town's economy. Mike supports a number of environmental organizations in addition to the NJ Environmental Lobby, and he and his wife, Margaret O'Gorman, who is the Executive Director of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation and a member of the Bordentown City Shade Tree Committee, lead by example in their community."

During Mr. Hunninghake's tenure as Chair of the Environmental Commission and a member of the Planning Board, he has helped steer the City of Bordentown towards a more sustainable community in a number of ways, including his efforts to preserve and protect local open space; his advocacy for sustainable development practices and Smart Growth initiatives; his organization and presentation of environmental education programs for residents; and his passionate commitment to build upon the legacy of Bordentown City's significant history as a vibrant town center over the last 325 years.

Mr. Hunninghake is employed as the Director of Communications for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the more than 1 million acres of the Pinelands of New Jersey.

The NJ Environmental Lobby's "Volunteer of the Year Award" will be presented to Mr. Hunninghake at the regular monthly meeting of the Bordentown City Commissioners on August 10 at 8pm, at the Carslake Community Center on Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City.

For more information about the Bordentown City Environmental Commission go to their website at www.bcec.us