Honoree Receives Audubon/Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship
New York, NY: - A Lehighton, Pennsylvania 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.
Dan Kunkle 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, Kunkle will focus his efforts on continued development of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center (LGNC) on the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge, a place where residents of the Lehigh Valley are coming together to learn about their environment. He is building partnerships with college and universities, K-12 schools, government agencies, and local conservation and outdoor recreation groups, and is encouraging area residents and students to volunteer at the Center and to explore the unique ecosystems this area offers. When development is completed in 2010, LGNC will serve as an environmental asset to the entire community.
Involved in conservation efforts for 28 years, Kunkle is currently the Executive Director of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. In his current role, he has initiated an environmental education program, including a summer camp, a reading program at a local library, and the Lehigh Gap Environmental Education Partnership with area schools. He has also developed a series of natural history workshops for the public throughout the year – introducing visitors and residents to the remarkable habitat and wildlife living in their own backyard. It was under Dan’s leadership that in 2002, the group purchased the 750 acres of land that established the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge.
“Dan 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.”
“This fellowship brings with it the prestige of national recognition from Audubon, which we hope will generate even more local support for our conservation and education efforts,” Kunkle said.
Kunkle has been affiliated with the Wildlife Information Center since 1990, its leader since 1998, and became the full-time director of the organization in 2004. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.
Kunkle received a Masters degree in biology and a Bachelors degree in secondary education, both from Kutztown University. In addition to his current position, he is a Kittatinny Coalition member and serves as the principal investigator of the Bake Oven Knob Autumn Hawk Count.
“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.
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Lehighton Man Singled Out for Environmental Leadership
