Accompanied by a small group of staff and board members, Chewonki President Willard Morgan accepted an award for the nonprofit's leadership in the business, public and education sectors on  September 20 in Portland.

Morgan offered special thanks to Chewonki’s former sustainability coordinator, Peter Arnold, who retired last December.

“I would not be standing here today if it were not for the passionate work of Peter Arnold,” Morgan said.

“Peter and the staff at Chewonki play a special role in educating a cadre of young people who care about clean, renewable energy and who are eager to work toward a healthy future for the planet.”

Well-known environmental lawyer and University of Maine School of Law professor Jeffrey Thaler presented the award.

Thaler said that Chewonki has been one of the key players in educating Maine businesses, residents, policymakers, and students on waste management, renewable energy, sustainability and energy efficiency.