Four recognized at 2025 Environmental Stewardship awards
The Board of Larimer County Commissioners recognized four groups for their dedication to environmental stewardship in Larimer County at the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Awards.
The awards mark the 30th year the commissioners have presented the awards to businesses, organizations, and residents to honor their work and stewardship in protecting our environment and climate. This year’s awards bring the total awards given out to 113.
Larimer County’s Environmental and Science Advisory Board reviews nominations submitted for the awards and recommends that the commissioners select the award winners.
Scott James – Leading the NOCO Sawyers in restoring Loveland’s native ecosystems
Scott James’ leadership for the Northern Colorado Sawyers has resulted in more than 600 volunteer hours removing thousands of invasive species like Russian Olive trees. “I am a big fan of removing invasive species,” said Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally, “especially Russian Olive trees, they’re so bad for our water resources.” NOCO Sawyers have actively been working on the removal of various invasive species over the last five years in the City of Loveland's open spaces.
Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens cited the value of this work, adding, “Having helped on a trail once, I know this is hard physical work and how valuable it is to have people able to do this work, and making sure our native species can grow to protect our watersheds and forests.”
Amy Wolf – Leading the YMCA of the Rockies toward sustainability and waste reduction
Amy has led YMCA of the Rockies' Sustainability efforts as their Environmental Sustainability Director since 2021. Accomplishments beyond her daily routine include reducing waste sent to landfills and promoting recycling and reuse through the Waste Audit and Activity Handbook. “You’re impacting a lot of people who come up there every year, especially the youth who go up there and stay to help them understand environmental responsibility of stewardship,” said Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally.
Jamie Blanchard-Poling – Reducing the organic waste stream in Larimer County
Jamie Blanchard-Poling has established the Compost Queen composting services, diverting over 25,000 pounds of food per month from the landfill by working with local restaurants, businesses, and residents. “I know from the county perspective we’re committed to figuring out the next phase of projects for the transfer station at the landfill and minimizing organic waste that goes into the ground,” said Larimer County Commissioner John Kefalas. “It’s much better if we compost it and put it back on the soil.”
Composting can also reduce waste sent to landfills by 40%, thus reducing pollution from our landfill. “While we haven’t figured out how to do this on a larger commercial scale, this work that’s being done is really vital to see that it can be done on a larger scale,” said Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens.
Shelley Bayard de Volo – Leading the Environmental and Science Advisory Board 2017 to 2025
Shelley Bayard de Volo has been Larimer County’s staff liaison to the Environmental and Science Advisory Board for 8 years from 2017 to 2025. Shelley fostered the development of Larimer County’s Climate, Environmental Stewardship, and Sustainability Policy in 2019.
Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens: “Often, we honor people outside our organization, but this is a way to show the remarkable work our staff does. The work on sustainability is work we’ve needed to do for a really long time, and you’ve brought that to the forefront as a community that cares about these issues.”
