Unlike the red ketchup their family is commonly associated, the Heinz Family Foundation has "gone green" with their announcement of the recipients of the 15th annual Heinz Awards. Each of the 10 winners were selected because of their commitment to their work involving the environment.
In past years, the $10,000 awards have been split among five different categories, with environment only being one of them. The 2009 awards, however, were only focused on green contributions in order to honor the late U.S. Senator John Heinz – whom the award is named after – and his "long-standing commitment to the environment"
"At this unique time in history, when the environment is more important than ever to our lives, our economy, our national security and our future, it is only fitting that we focus exclusively on this critical topic," said Teresa Heinz, chairman of the foundation and the widow of the late senator. "In highlighting the work of some of our country’s most thoughtful, innovative and creative individuals, we are pleased to shine a deserving spotlight on their extraordinary achievements.”
Among the recipients were Dr. Ashok Gadgil of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley for his researching of airflow and pollutant transport in Buildings, Chip Giller for founding Grist, an online media platform devoted to environmental news and views, and Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm for his research for creating alternative and environmentally friendly farming techniques.
In addition to Gadgil, Giller, and Salatin, the other award recipients – along with their place of work – are: Robert Berkebile of BNIM Architects, Dr. P. Dee Boersma of the University of Washington, Dr. Christopher B. Field of the Carnegie Institution for Science and Stanford University, Dr. Deborah Rice of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental and Occupational Health, Dr. Kirk R. Smith of the University of California, Berkeley, Thomas Smith of the Public Citizen – Texas, and Dr. Beverly H. Wright of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice.
The Heinz Awards were established in 1993 by Teresa Heinz through the Heinz Family Foundation to honor her late husband. Previous winners include author Dave Eggers, medical anthropologist Paul Farmer, and physicist John Holdren.
