The South Platte Natural Resources District presented its 2012 Conservation Awards at its monthly board meeting Tuesday, honoring local superintendents from the city of Sidney.
Tom Von Seggern and Bill Taylor were honored with the District’s 2012 Urban Environmental Impact Award. “Both Tom and Bill are very good at what they do,” said Don Ogle, the District’s information and education coordinator as he outlined the information behind the pair’s award. “Like many of those who work for the area’s various public entities, Tom and Bill excel at their jobs. They perform their required duties as well as they possibly can, because simply put, that’s the type of people they are.”
Ogle went on to say just being good isn’t enough when nominations are reviewed. “The nomination committee looks at the ‘above and beyond’ when it comes to making a difference with stewardship practices.”
Von Seggern, head of the parks and cemetery department, directs care for about 51 acres of area that is watered, plus additional acreage that isn’t. His award was based on a number of longstanding practices, as well as more recent improvements.
Like his counterpart, Taylor, in charge of the water and sewer department, does a lot extra to maintain the natural resources he deals with most – water. He has a large number of locations within Sidney’s wellhead protection areas of concern.
“We are proud to recognize two men who are truly making a difference in protecting the lives and future of those in the city of Sidney,” Ogle says. “They join a list of stewards who have protected natural resources in the southern Panhandle with distinction and provide an example for all of us to follow.”