Ohio Water District Honored for Environmental Awareness Night

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a minor-leauge baseball team in Niles, Ohio, announced that the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will receive a 2008 District Excellence Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for the "Going Green" environmental awareness night at Eastwood field.

The District Excellence Award recognizes a local conservation district for excellence and successful initiatives, the Trumbull SWCD will receive the award in the Communications - Marketing Category.

The "Going Green" event held during a Scrappers game included green jerseys worn by Scrappers players. A children's poster contest (kid's could color a picture of Scrappy doing conservation or recycling activities and submit there entries) where the winners got the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. All of the posters were on display in the concourse of the stadium during the game. The SWCD also received a loge from the Scrappers to use during the game where one farm family and one urban family received passes to enjoy the game with SWCD Supervisors and staff members. Scrappers General Manager Dave Smith and Broadcaster Marc Means as well as Scrappy visited with the families during the game.

"The Scrappers were wonderful to work with as we developed this first time event with their baseball team," stated Mike Wilson, Executive Director of the Trumbull SWCD. "It's truly an honor to receive this national honor for the first time in our districts history for a brand new program with the Scrappers organization," Wilson concluded.

The Trumbull SWCD will receive their District Excellence Award on February 2, 2009 at the NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.