May 17, 2006
Contact: Gordon Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu  

SRU’S MACOSKEY CENTER GETS ‘OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION' AWARD

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’s Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research has received the “Conservation Award for Outstanding Organization” from the Bartramian Audubon Society, a non-profit organization promoting environmental education and conservation in western Pennsylvania.
 
           “The Macoskey Center has a long-standing commitment to environmental education, conservation and sustainability initiatives,” said Kathie Goodblood, president of the Slippery-Rock-based Audubon. “We also recognize its commitment to the community. This is a very important resource for our area.”The Audubon held its awards ceremony at Preston Environmental Center at Camp Bucoco on Route 8 near Slippery Rock. Macoskey Center Director Thomas Reynolds accepted a framed certificate from the Audubon.

“I was honored to be able to accept the award for the Macoskey Center and Slippery Rock University,” he said. “It’s gratifying to have our work recognized by a local organization that shares similar values and is involved in similar work.”

Sustainability refers to initiatives that simultaneously advance the environment, economic prosperity and social equity.  The Macoskey Center is an 83-acre facility, on the SRU campus, promoting these concepts through demonstration, education and research.

Three SRU students established the Bartramian Audubon Society in 1982. It serves Venango, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties.           #PN