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Hogbin places in Cox Conserves Heroes initiative.
Clint Hogbin
MARTINSBURG — Cox Enterprises, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, this week released the names of those who were selected as winners in the Cox Conserves Heroes initiative, designed to recognize youth and adult volunteers, as well as nonprofits, who make an impact on the environment.
Receiving second-place honors in the adult category of the contest was Berkeley County resident Clint Hogbin. Hogbin has served for many years on the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority, a good many of those as its Chairman. Currently, Hogbin holds a seat on the board, while Mark Barney now serves as Chair.
Hogbin placed second behind Tixie Fowler, of Atlanta, Georgia, who won for her work as an environmental educator and conservationist. By placing second, Hogbin secured a grant for $15,000 to the conservation nonprofit of his choice. He has selected Cricket Maze Cave Conservancy as the recipient of the funds.
When speaking about his selection, Hogbin shared that three individuals were instrumental in the submission of his name. They included fellow BCSWA board member Michelle Atha, former board member John Christensen and his wife, Christina Hogbin.
“Michelle learned about the national award somewhere,” Hogbin said. “She and John put together a document on the Solid Waste Authority, recycling and stream clean up. They added a little bit about the creation of the Farmland Protection program in Berkeley County.
“I requested that Cricket Maze receive the awards. People may not realize it, but Berkeley County has hundreds of caves,” Hogbin said, as he added that he loves to go cave exploring, visiting 50 of them.
Hogbin explained that his father had loved caving, and it was through him that Hogbin became a fan. In succession, Hogbin has now shared the love with his son. The three, at different times, had all visited the Cricket Maze Cave.
“That cave has some unique formations that are not typically found in the Shenandoah Valley,” Hogbin said.
He described it as a “wild” cave, not like a commercial cave, such as Luray Caverns. It has various shapes and sizes, he said, adding that when exploring it, one has to crawl at times.
Cricket Maze is one of two caves in Berkeley County that is owned by organizations, Hogbin said. The remainder of them are on private land. While he said that in the past, it was sometimes possible to simply ask a property owner if one could explore a cave on their land, it is now less likely because of legal liability issues.
“I would suggest to anyone who is interested in caving to join Tri-State Grotto, a caving organization,” Hogbin said, adding that the group provides information, safety training and a way to tour some privately-owned areas, as it has relationships with the property owners.
As for Cricket Maze Cave Conservancy, the group was ecstatic to discover it was the recipient of Hogbin’s generous allocation. Board member Lavonne Paden said that those funds are “a game changer to an organization like Cricket Maze.”
She went on to say that the group just discovered that it was to be the recipient of the $15,000. The group has not yet begun to deliberate on for what those funds can be used. The mission of the group, she said, is to educate the public and preserve and maintain access to the cave and karst resources of West Virginia.
Paden expressed her personal gratitude for Hogbin’s selection, sharing that the two of them have worked together for many years, including working on the Farmland Protection program establishment in 1999.
“Clint has done so much in so many areas like the Solid Waste Authority, for river conservation. This is nice that it’s the fun side of him,” she said, speaking to Hogbin’s love of caving.
More information about the Cox Award is available here:
Berkeley County Wins Clean County Award!
During the course of the 2016 West Virginia Educational Conference on Litter Control and Solid Waste Management, representatives from the WV-DEP’s “Make It Shine” Program announced that Berkeley County has been awarded 1st place in the 2016 Clean County Contest.
Acting on a submission by the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority (BCSWA), the nomination included a detailed review of the specific data regarding the Berkeley County Recycling Program, Adopt-A-Highway Program, Stream Cleanup Programs, WV Youth Environmental Program, Pollution Prevention Open Dump Program, Berkeley County Farmland Protection Program, tree planting activity by the West Virginia Division of Forestry and the Cara Hardy WV Project CommuniTree Program and the Berkeley County Litter Control Program. The award comes with a $2,000.00 cash prize, which will be dedicated to the Berkeley County Litter Control Program.
In 2015, Berkeley County also won 1st place in the Clean County Contest. In 2014, Berkeley County won 2nd place in the Clean County Contest, making it’s the 1st Eastern Panhandle County to win such an award. The BCSWA wishes to express its gratitude to the many volunteers who clean up the streams, roads and public lands. Additionally, the BCSWA wishes to also express its deepest gratitude to Lt. R. Gardner for his continued hard work and perseverance in investigating the hundreds of litter and open dumping complaints.
Berkeley County Wins Clean County Award!
During the course of the 2015 West Virginia Educational Conference on Litter Control and Solid Waste Management, representatives from the WV-DEP's "Make It Shine" Program announced that Berkeley County has been awarded 1st place in the 2015 Clean County Contest. Acting on a formal submission by the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority (BCSWA), the nomination included a detailed review of the specific data regarding the Berkeley County Recycling Program, Adopt-A-Highway Program, WV Youth Environmental Program, Pollution Prevention Open Dump Program and the Berkeley County Litter Control Program. The award comes with a $2,000.00 cash prize, which will be dedicated to the Berkeley County Litter Control Program.
In 2014, Berkeley County won 2nd place in the Clean County Contest, making it the 1st Eastern Panhandle County to win such an award. The BCSWA wishes to express its gratitude to the many volunteers who clean up the streams, roads and public lands. Additionally, the BCSWA wishes to also express its deepest gratitude to Lt. Ron Gardner for his continued hard work and perseverance in investigating the hundreds of litter and open dumping complaints.
John Christensen Wins Recycling Champion Award!
The Recycling Coalition of West Virginia in collaboration with the state's solid waste authorities honored Recycling Champions across the State. These champions reach beyond their normal responsibilities to contribute time and service to support the recycling industry in the Mountain state. For 2015, the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia recognized four individuals, groups, and businesses - including long time local recycling advocate John Christensen. Mr. Christensen is a Berkeley County resident and a five year member of the Board of Directors of the Berkeley County SWA. Mr. Christensen is recognized for providing significant recycling leadership across the state for over two decades.
Berkeley County Takes 2nd in Statewide Clean County Contest
On November 19, 2014, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's (WV-DEP) Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP), recognized the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority (BCSWA) with a 2nd place finish in the 2014 Statewide Clean County Contest. WV-DEP REAP oversees West Virginia's Make It Shine efforts. The BCSWA also received $1,000 to put toward cleanup and other litter control projects. The BCSWA dedicated $650.00 of those funds for another surveillance camera system to be utilized by Lt. Ron Gardner, the county's Litter Control Officer.
Clean County Awards are presented annually to county solid waste authorities that promote environmental stewardship through cleanups, recycling, outreach, youth participation, beautification and law enforcement. To date, in 2014, the Berkeley County Litter Control Program has handled 217 litter or open dumping complaints and cleaned up an estimated 136,225 pounds of solid waste.
Based on information and belief, this is the first time that the BCSWA has placed in the State's Clean County Contest.
Our appreciation to Lt. Gardner for excellent ward winning work fighting against litter and open dumping.
Sheriff Kenny Lemaster and Clint Hogbin receive recognition by the Berkeley County Council for winning 2nd place in the West Virginia Clean County Award. Lots more work to be done!
2013 Recycling Champion Award
The Recycling Coalition of West Virginia in collaboration with the state's solid waste authorities is honoring Recycling Champions. These champions reach beyond their normal responsibilities to contribute time and service to support the recycling industry in the Mountain state. For 2013, The Recycling Coalition of West Virginia recognized the Berkeley County Council for providing significant recycling leadership across the state to make a significant contribution to improve the recycling community.
2013 Environmental Award
On May 29, 2013, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman presented the Berkeley County SWA with an Environmental Award of Excellence during a ceremony at WV-DEP headquarters in Charleston.
The WV-DEP's annual Environmental Awards recognize the accomplishments of state industries, municipalities, educators and community leaders who strive to protect the environment, work to be good corporate neighbors and educate the state's citizens. The awards are presented to those who share in the DEP's mission of promoting a healthy environment and practice environmental stewardship.
SWA Of North America
BCSWA Board Member Lynne Lashley obtains certification from the "Solid Waste Association of North America" in Managing Recycling Systems.