Mayor Walsh announces Greenovate Award winners at Earth Day celebration at Fenway Park

 Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the 10th annual Greenovate Boston Award winners today at a special Earth Day celebration at Fenway Park. The City of Boston and Red Sox hosted the celebration with more than 200 attendees to recognize climate action leadership and celebrate environmental sustainability among the Boston community.

"Congratulations to all the winners of the Greenovate Boston Awards, who exemplify the spirit of giving back to our community and are leaders in helping make Boston a greener, healthier city," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud that because of our collaborative efforts the City of Boston has emerged as a global leader in climate action, gaining world-wide recognition for our commitment to environmental sustainability."

Immediately following the awards ceremony, attendees joined individuals and businesses in the Fenway/Kenmore area to kick off the first official weekend of Boston Shines. Volunteers will participate in spring clean-up projects, such as planting flowers, sweeping, raking, and picking up trash, throughout the neighborhood.

"Boston is able to contribute to the international conversation on climate change because of the longstanding support we have received from our community about the importance of these issues," said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "This Earth Day, I'm honored to celebrate 10 years of local climate action leaders right here in Boston, and look to work with these leaders as we continue to plan our response to climate change challenges."

The Greenovate Boston Awards recognize outstanding achievement in climate action and environmental sustainability among the Boston community. There were more than 80 nominations this year, and the 14 winners represent local businesses, community organizations, non-profits, residents, and institutions from across the City of Boston.

The 10th annual Greenovate Boston Award winners are:

• Allison Chester, North End
• WhyWaste?, Jamaica Plain
• Bob Ferro, Mission Hill
• Eastie Farm, East Boston
• Jeff Hanulec - Sheraton Boston Hotel, Back Bay
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston, North End
• City Soil and Mattapan Evocation Center, Mattapan
• Jennifer Rushlow, Jamaica Plain
• Elliot Norton Park Rain Garden Project, Bay Village
• Yola Cabrillana, West Roxbury
• Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, Mattapan
• Peter Crossan, Dorchester
• Boston University, Fenway/Kenmore
• Climate Action Business Association, West End

About Greenovate Boston: Greenovate Boston is the City's community-wide initiative to engage all Bostonians in helping the City meet its climate and sustainability goals, while continuing to make Boston a thriving, healthy, and innovative city. Learn more at www.GreenovateBoston.org. 

About Boston Shines: Each spring, the Office of Neighborhood Services works with the community to organize citywide clean-up projects for three consecutive weekends in each neighborhood. To learn more and register for a project, visit:www.cityofboston.gov/ons/BostonShines/.