Cunningham Receives Lifetime Service Award from NYS Association of Conservation Commissions

Rye resident Carolyn Cunningham was awarded the Margery Sachs Award for a lifetime of service to the environment at the annual conference of the NYS Association of Conservation Commissions in October. Rye Conservation Commission Chair Tracy Stora and NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis presented the award to Cunningham just last week.

Cunningham served on Rye’s Conservation Commission Advisory Council from 1975 to 1980, where she served as Chair from 1978 to 1980 and again from 2013 to 2018, both as member and Chair. On the CCAC she worked on issues affecting nature, habitats and environmental education.

She holds the distinction of serving as Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC)’s longest-serving Board Member. Over the past 40 years, she has assumed many leadership positions, which include serving as Executive Director from 1981-1985 as well as Vice President, Treasurer and Chair of the Membership Committee for over 10 years. Last year she was awarded the FCWC Green Seal Award for her longstanding commitment and outstanding leadership on environmental issues at its Annual FCWC Green Seal and Edith Read Awards Ceremony. At the state level, Cunningham was active in advocating on behalf of environmental issues on behalf of FCWC and working with Environmental Advocates/Environmental Planning Lobby (EPL).

The Margery Sachs award is NYSACC’s highest honor presented for outstanding service to Conservation Commissions and the environment. Cunningham was nominated for the award by NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis.