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BY FRANK DELANO
Alice S. Wellford of Richmond and Essex County has won a National Wetlands Award for fighting an invasive marsh grass and saving wetlands along the tidal Rappahannock River.
Wellford established the Rappahannock Phragmites Action Committee in 2001. Her work with the group led to controlling the giant reed in hundreds of acres of marsh.
"It is such a group effort. I get a little embarrassed when I'm singled out," said Wellford, one of six award winners announced last week by the Environmental Law Institute in Washington.
The award is also sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Highway Administration.
Other winners included the leader of a Montana wetlands program, a Louisiana scientist and restorers of wetlands in Iowa and Wisconsin.
"These wetland champions are restoring and protecting one of America's greatest natural assets through education, conservation, and dedication," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's assistant administrator for water.
Wellford will receive her award at a ceremony in Washington in May.
"You can't really wear hip boots to an awards ceremony," she said. "I think what I get is a free dinner. A cash award toward phragmites control in the Rappahannock Valley would also be nice."
Frank Delano: 804/333-3834