King County Executive Ron Sims honored the Puget Sound Car Wash Association, Carol James,
and Clare Henson as King County's Earth Heroes for November and December 2000.
A special tribute was made posthumously to Ursula Judkins as King County's Earth
Hero of the Year. Judkins passed away before this award could be presented.
In a special ceremony held in the Executive’s Office, Sims joined by
King County Councilmember
Larry Phillips honored the invaluable contributions these heroes have made in protecting King County’s environment.
Launched in May of this year, the King County Earth Legacy Initiative celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing this region's natural environment. The Initiative outlines a number of innovative programs that are working hard to maintain the rich integrity and high quality of life in this region.
“The Puget Sound Car Wash Association serves as a model for what businesses can do to protect and conserve water, salmon and our environment,” said Sims. “This organization proves that with innovation, strong partnerships, and creativity this can be achieved."
"Ursula Judkins, Carol James, and Clare Henson represent the spirit and commitment behind the King County Earth Hero Award," said Sims. “Each has given selflessly to the cause of environmental protection and enhancement for the residents of this County.”
The Puget Sound Car Wash Association has been a leader in the industry and a model for its peers. In 1995, Victor Odermat, past president and founder, launched an innovative way to host charity car washes while sharing a valuable environmental message. The Charity Car Wash Program allows qualifying non-profit organizations to raise money for their group without polluting Puget Sound. Over 60 commercial car wash locations in the Puget Sound region partner with this effort to encourage environmentally friendly car wash fundraisers that reduce pollution, protect the salmon and save the environment. Tickets are sold to supporters and can be redeemed at participating car wash facilities.
Professional car washes conserve water, treat wastewater and then recycle it. Wastewater from parking lot car washes contains toxic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds like oils, grease, nutrients, heavy metals and suspended solids, which get dumped directly into local water ways and the Puget Sound untreated. This serves as a threat to salmon and other aquatic life. Since its inception, over 120 non-profits have used the Charity Car Wash Program.
Presented in her memory, the Earth Hero of the Year award is a tribute to the life long commitment Ursula Judkins made to King County's air, land and water quality. Judkins was no stranger to environmental activism and protection. For years, Judkins served as an advocate for the Magnolia neighborhood and the community at large. She worked tirelessly with the Magnolia neighborhood during the expansion of the West Point Sewage Treatment Plant. Judkins' work reduced the impact of construction on the neighborhood and also created the Shoreline Parks Improvement Fund that allocated more than $25 million to benefit Seattle’s waterfront parks.
Judkins actively served on the Discovery Park Advisory Council, Magnolia Historical Society, Neighbors Advisory Committee, and the King County Regional Wastewater Committee. As a founding member of the Rail Noise Mitigation Committee, Judkins worked with Burlington Northern Railroad to make capital improvements on the Interbay area as well as reduce rail noise for residents. Judkins recently passed away, leaving a legacy of environmental protection and activism.
Carol James has been an open space activist in King County for over 20 years. She began her work in 1977 with Save Our Local Farmlands, where she successfully managed a campaign for voter approval of $50 million to purchase development rights of farmlands in the County. From 1984 to 1988 James co-chaired the citizens’ committee to secure 20 acres of open space for the Bellevue Downtown Park and raised over $2 million for phase one construction.
Today, James is the President of the Board for Cascade Land Conservancy. She is one of the founding board members and continues to bring individuals, corporations and government together to preserve the natural beauty and heritage of this region. Using cutting edge techniques, Cascade Land Conservancy has preserved nearly 4,000 acres of close-to-home lands in the last decade and is working on 10,000 additional acres. James has also served as a board member for the Mountains to Sound Greenway, co-chair of the King County Citizen’s Open Space Oversight Committee, and chair of a committee where over $250 million was invested to acquire 11,000 acres of open space and 70 miles of trails.
Clare Henson of the Boulevard Park Community is a long time community activist involved in King County’s Adopt-A-Stop, Adopt-A- Road, and Adopt-A-Park programs. As an Adopt-A-Road volunteer, Henson regularly picks up litter on several miles of roadway. With the Adopt-A-Stop Program, Henson maintains 14 unsheltered bus stops by picking up litter and emptying litter containers weekly. She also maintains the beauty of the Hill Top Park. Currently, Henson serves as Secretary on the Boulevard Park Community Council. Her efforts continue to make a positive impact in the Boulevard Park Community and demonstrates the difference an individual can make in a neighborhood.
Earth Hero nominations are submitted by King County employees. Individuals and businesses in King County that are working to make a positive impact on the environment are selected monthly for their outstanding contributions to maintaining the natural beauty of this region.
For more information on King County’s Earth Legacy Program, visit the web site, at
http://www.metrokc.gov/earthlegacy/.
Updated: Dec. 14, 2000
