Ithaca Conservation Award Nominations Invited

January 8, 2026

The Town of Ithaca’s Conservation Board invites nominations for their 23^rd annual Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award.  This award honors the late Dr. Fischer for improving Ithaca’s natural environment. A Cornell professor, nature lover, and member of our Conservation Board, he erected many bluebird houses and helped establish New York’s bottle law to reduce waste and litter. 

Since 2003, the Town’s Conservation Board has honored a different individual or group each year, including Richard Schoch, Adrianna Hirtler, the Friendship Donation Network, Finger Lakes ReUse, and Primitive Pursuits. Please see https://townithacany.gov/richard-fischer-award/ for the complete list of former winners. 

Individuals or organizations who have helped improve Ithaca’s natural environment are eligible for nomination. Selected awardees will have their names added to a plaque in Town Hall and attached to a tree planted at a celebration in their honor in a Town park or trail. Birch, beech, maple, oak, poplar, sycamore, juneberry, hemlock, hazelnut, pine and apple trees have been dedicated at 22 ceremonies celebrating the many ways Ithaca’s environment has been improved by honored winners.

Please nominate a person or a group you feel has contributed to improving and conserving our environment. Nominations for the 2025 award must be received no later than February 28, 2026. For submission guidelines, including a nomination form, see the Town’s website or contact the Conservation Board at conservationboard@townithacany.gov.

For more information regarding the Town’s Conservation Board please see our website, or visit us on Facebook or Instagram.