Nevada EcoNet will present five Golden Pinecone awards at the Pinecone Ball on Nov. 11 at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. The awards will be presented to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions toward sustaining and improving the natural environment of the Truckee Meadows. This is the 22nd year for the Pinecone Ball and the Golden Pinecone Awards. The winners are:

David Hornbeck, Sierra Club: Individual Award. As chair of the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club, Hornbeck volunteers his time and talent to manage the operations and programs and shepherd policy campaigns. In spite of a demanding career and other interests, Hornbeck believes the work of the Sierra Club is important. He has contributed his time and talent to the 5,000-member club serving Nevada and eastern California and its four subgroups.

Mark Struble, Bureau of Land Manage-ment: Agency Represent-ative. As the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District public affairs officer, Struble is instrumental in working with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful to plan the Great Truckee Meadows Cleanups, which began in 2006. He initiated involvement with the Boy Scouts and coordinated cleanup sites in Golden Valley and Sun Valley. Mark helped develop the interagency Illegal Dumping Task Force.

Ormat Technologies: Business. Ormat is a leader in geothermal energy exploration, development and delivery in Nevada. Through the corporation’s efforts, Nevadans benefit from clean, emission-free energy. Headquartered in Reno, Ormat has constructed more than 1,200 megawatts of geothermal and recovered energy-generating power projects worldwide. Ormat owns and operates over 515 megawatts of geothermal and recovered energy generation plants in the United States.

Kiley Ranch Preservancy Founda-tion: Nonprofit Organiza-tion. The Kiley Ranch Preservancy Foundation acquired 215 acres of wetlands and uplands, plus 70 acre feet of allocated reclaimed water for the creation of a special Wildlife Wetland Preserve in the southern portion of Spanish Springs. Foundation board members worked tirelessly with the city of Sparks and state and federal agencies to acquire the property within the rapidly developing region.

Mike Hailey, , Washoe County Sheriff: Public Figure/Servant. Haley and his staff have made a tremendous impact in the fight against illegal dumping. Joining the Illegal Dumping Task Force, the sheriff’s office mapped illegal dump sites, implemented a program of illegal dump stings and coordinated and conducted numerous clean-ups. The sheriff implemented the 329-DUMP hotline for reporting illegal dumping in progress and existing illegal dump sites.

The Pinecone Ball is a yearly celebration of the good work of thousands of area citizens to ensure that the wonderful environment of northern Nevada is sustained for future generations to enjoy. Tickets to the event are available from Nevada EcoNet for $50 at www.nevadaeconet.org or by calling 323-3433. Table purchases and sponsorships are welcome.

Nevada EcoNet is a nonprofit organization that is a primary source of environmental information and education to northern Nevada. EcoNet provides information and encourages informed action on the important environmental issues impacting our region and quality of life so that the wonderful environment and quality of life we enjoy today is sustained for future generations.