Honoree Receives Audubon/Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship
New York, NY:—An Evansville, Indiana man is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.
Dr. Mamunur Rashid is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.
For his fellowship, Dr. Rashid will focus his efforts on creating specific water conservation goals and recommendations for the city of Evansville, since no formal effort to conserve water exists in the area. Dr. Rashid hopes he can mobilize everyone to participate in conservation efforts through understanding Evansville residents’ perceptions of water conservation, conducting a water budget analysis with residents, estimating the energy savings through water conservation, and explaining the environmental and economic benefits of water conservation through public education and outreach. Through these activities, Dr. Rashid will not only be helping residents save water and money, but he’ll be having a big impact on the environment.
Dr. Rashid has proven to be a dedicated and innovative environmental leader and has been involved in conservation efforts for 6 years. Currently, he is the assistant professor of engineering at the University of Southern Indiana where he teaches three classes per semester, educating at least 300 students a year in environmental engineering – and encouraging them on their own paths to green careers. In the past, Dr. Rashid prepared Water Conservation Plan for several municipal districts as consulting engineer. Currently, he is a consultant for Luce Township Regional Sewer District (LTRSD) in Spencer County, Indiana, identifying cost-effective wastewater management option that would promote conservation.
“Mamunur is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”
“Obtaining the fellowship will really assist me in collecting my conversation thoughts – particularly about water – and put them into action,” said Dr. Rashid. “My mindset is very conservation driven – getting this fellowship will put more mileage into this drive.”
Dr. Rashid has been affiliated with the University of Southern Indiana since 2006. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.
Dr. Rashid received a Ph.D. in civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Utah and a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Idaho State University. He has received several grants for his work, including the Pott Foundation Supplemental Summer Research Fellowship (2008) and the Excellence through Engagement Research Fellowship (2007), both through the University of Southern Indiana.
“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”
A complete list of TogetherGreen fellows can be found online at www.TogetherGreen.org/fellows.
Audubon and Toyota launched the five-year TogetherGreen initiative in spring, 2008 to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer and individual action opportunities that significantly benefit the environment. As of October, volunteer days have begun in 40, tallying in excess of 11,000 volunteer hours. Funding totaling $1.4 million was recently awarded to innovative conservation projects nationwide, while www.TogetherGreen.org helps users take individual conservation action and share and celebrate success stories. The TogetherGreen initiative and grants programs are funded by a $20 million Toyota gift to Audubon, the largest in the conservation group’s long history.
Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. Visit Audubon online at www.audubon.org.
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
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Evansville Man Singled Out for Environmental Leadership
