Congratulations to the 2023 Conservation Award Winners!
2023 Outstanding
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We are excited to present the 2023 Conservation Educator of the Year Award to Lianne Genzman, a 5th grade science teacher at Ottawa Hills Elementary School. Apart from inviting Lucas SWCD into her classroom on a regular basis for programming, Lianne and her students are annual participants in the TMACOG Student Watershed Watch (SWW) and Student Watershed Summit. Through the SWW, she partners with The Nature Conservancy to remove invasive species and discusses ways to improve the overall health of our watershed with her students. When asked why she does what she does, Lianne said, “I love establishing partnerships with local groups to help my students see connections in the environment and their own backyard”.
Prior to teaching, Lianne worked as a Restoration Technician for two separate Conservation Authorities in Canada and she is a founding member of the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. Her background includes an undergraduate degree in environmental science, a post-graduate degree in restoration ecology and an additional masters degree in mathematics education. |
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2023 Cooperator of the Year
For decades, the Bench Family of Jerusalem Township has been sharing their love of the land, food, and farming. Their operation has always been family focused, with the 4th generation now helping out on the farm and at the roadside market on Route 2. David and Cindy Bench have owned and operated the Bench Farms State Route 2 Greenhouse & Roadside Produce Market for nearly 30 years, offering a plethora of flowers, vegetables, and herbs for sale each year. Each of their children grew up learning the business and a love for the land. As a result, they have continued to build the family’s farming legacy by venturing into various branches of agricultural business, including Community Supported Agriculture, Organic Farming, and Bee-Keeping. Arik Bench and his wife, Beth, have also continued this legacy and commitment to doing right by the land and their community by participating in the H2Ohio Phosphorus Reduction program.
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2023 Conservation Reserve
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2023 Community Partner Award
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Cherie Blair is the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC) Coordinator and a Grants Manager for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Her office is located within the Northwest Office of Ohio EPA in Bowling Green. She works with the governments, nonprofits, businesses, and citizens to restore and maintain the health of the Maumee AOC.
Cherie has been the Maumee AOC Coordinator since January 1996. She has helped to identify, develop, and implement dozens of projects and management actions, to collect environmental data, and to evaluate the conditions of the AOC, in addition to assisting with the coordination of educational and outreach programs and materials. In 2016, Cherie added grant management to her responsibilities. Since then she has written, received, and directly managed approximately $22 million in grants, and assisted community partners with nearly $50 million in projects to acquire, design, and restore natural areas and waterways within the Maumee AOC.
Ms. Blair received a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Biology and Earth Sciences from Adrian College. Since then, she has taken courses in public relations, environmental studies, law, and grants management. In 2001, she was awarded an Outstanding Service Award for Public Outreach by the Ohio EPA Northwest District Office. Since then, she has received several other awards and most recently was recognized by the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water Chief with a special Chief’s Award for outstanding performance and program knowledge.
Cherie’s husband, Bryce, is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the City of Toledo Dept. of Fire & Rescue. They live in western Lucas County and have two children, Bryce and Eryn.
Cherie has been the Maumee AOC Coordinator since January 1996. She has helped to identify, develop, and implement dozens of projects and management actions, to collect environmental data, and to evaluate the conditions of the AOC, in addition to assisting with the coordination of educational and outreach programs and materials. In 2016, Cherie added grant management to her responsibilities. Since then she has written, received, and directly managed approximately $22 million in grants, and assisted community partners with nearly $50 million in projects to acquire, design, and restore natural areas and waterways within the Maumee AOC.
Ms. Blair received a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Biology and Earth Sciences from Adrian College. Since then, she has taken courses in public relations, environmental studies, law, and grants management. In 2001, she was awarded an Outstanding Service Award for Public Outreach by the Ohio EPA Northwest District Office. Since then, she has received several other awards and most recently was recognized by the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water Chief with a special Chief’s Award for outstanding performance and program knowledge.
Cherie’s husband, Bryce, is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the City of Toledo Dept. of Fire & Rescue. They live in western Lucas County and have two children, Bryce and Eryn.
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2023 Community Service Legacy Award
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Commissioner Wozniak's assistant Ben Pushka received the award on her behalf.
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Tina has served Lucas County residents since December 2002, though she began her public service career in 1997 when she joined Toledo City Council as the District 5 representative. She recently announced her retirement at the end of 2023, prior to the completion of her current term.
Under Tina’s leadership, the Board of County Commissioners has successfully maintained a balanced budget and reserve balance without impacting critical public services and infrastructure. The Board is currently planning for a new Lucas County Canine Care & Control facility, as well as a new Corrections Center.
Creating a sustainable Lucas County has also been a priority for Tina. She founded the Toledo Lucas County Sustainability Commission and led the community in developing a comprehensive sustainability plan called “Going Beyond Green.” Tina spearheaded the Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory (NSI), an interactive map showing sources of nutrients in the western Lake Erie watershed.
Tina has been involved with many initiatives to make Lucas County a great place to live, work, and play. She is a champion for families and children, and she endorsed a $3.5 million investment in a partnership with the Arts Commission to support artists and cultural organizations financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to her work as an elected official, Tina is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University. Tina and her husband of 40+ years, Russ, live in downtown Toledo. They have three children – Aaron (Margaret), Sam (BreAnne), and Joe, and four grandchildren – Josie, Annie, Ava, and William.
Under Tina’s leadership, the Board of County Commissioners has successfully maintained a balanced budget and reserve balance without impacting critical public services and infrastructure. The Board is currently planning for a new Lucas County Canine Care & Control facility, as well as a new Corrections Center.
Creating a sustainable Lucas County has also been a priority for Tina. She founded the Toledo Lucas County Sustainability Commission and led the community in developing a comprehensive sustainability plan called “Going Beyond Green.” Tina spearheaded the Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory (NSI), an interactive map showing sources of nutrients in the western Lake Erie watershed.
Tina has been involved with many initiatives to make Lucas County a great place to live, work, and play. She is a champion for families and children, and she endorsed a $3.5 million investment in a partnership with the Arts Commission to support artists and cultural organizations financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to her work as an elected official, Tina is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University. Tina and her husband of 40+ years, Russ, live in downtown Toledo. They have three children – Aaron (Margaret), Sam (BreAnne), and Joe, and four grandchildren – Josie, Annie, Ava, and William.
