Audubon New York , the state program of the national Audubon Society and the Audubon Council of New York State has selected Senator Mark Grisanti (R-60) to receive this year’s William Hoyt Environment Excellent Award to thank him for his thoughtful and courageous support of issues linked to protecting birds, other wildlife and their habitats. The award was established two decades ago to recognize the untiring commitment to conservation of the late Assemblyman William Hoyt who worked to fulfill the mission of the Audubon society in both his personal and legislative actions.
“It is with great pride that I accept this award that honors the amazing dedication and work of the late Assemblyman William Hoyt. I have just begun to work to preserve and protect wildlife in our state,” said Senator Mark Grisanti. “The Audubon Society does great work in their fight for the environment and diligently represents the 50,000 households who are members of the 27 chapters across the state. I thank them for this outstanding honor.”
“I am pleased that the Audubon Society has chosen to honor Senator Grisanti with the William Hoyt Environmental Excellence award. As the chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, Mark has proven to be an advocate for protecting the environment and our natural resources. My father would be pleased that another Western New Yorker has received this prestigious award,” said Sam Hoyt, 2001 Award Recipient and Former NYS Assemblyman.
“Typically, this award is presented to members of the legislature who have had a long tenure of fighting for change, but Senator Grisanti’s early dedication to upholding New York State’s environmental laws and his visionary approach to the State’s most pressing conservation issues make him stand out as the most deserving 2012 Hoyt Award recipient,” said Albert Caccese, Executive Director, Audubon New York.
The Audubon Society has recognized such conservation and environmental champions as Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Governor George Pataki and Congressman Maurice Hinchey. The award will be presented on March 24, 2012 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs.
“This award is to recognize Senator Grisanti for his leadership in passing the new comprehensive water management program for the state and the EPF Awareness Act that is essential in advancing these critical conservation measures,” said Richard Saravay, Chair, Audubon Council of New York State.
