FOLEY – Angie Eckman, Foley environmental manager, is the recipient of the 2024 Baldwin County Environmental Stewardship Award for top government employee.
The Baldwin County Commission presented Eckman and other winners with the awards Tuesday, April 16. The commission presented a total of 11 awards recognizing citizens, businesses and agencies that illustrate sound environmental principles in their day-to-day operations in the hope that all citizens may learn from the examples set forth by their neighbors;
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said Eckman has done an outstanding job serving the city and the environment.
“Ms Eckman is absolutely deserving of this award,” Hellmichy said. “She exemplifies our city’s commitment as good stewards of our environment.”
Eckman was recognized for her commitment to community engagement and other actions, Thomas Schmitz, a member of the Baldwin County Environmental Advisory Committee, said.
“She goes above and beyond in assisting not only the citizens of Foley but also those throughout Baldwin County. As an Alabama Water Watch monitor, she actively contributes to the protection and monitoring of our local waterways. Moreover, Angie generously shares her knowledge as a trainer, empowering others to become proficient in water quality monitoring. Her role in handling water testing chemicals for the entire county highlights her organizational skills, demonstrating responsibility in overseeing inventory and storage. Her sustained involvement underscores her commitment to preserving our coastal ecosystems and fostering a sense of responsibility within the community. Angie is an outstanding government employee, and she deserves recognition for her distinguished service and strong commitment to the environment, our community and all the citizens of Baldwin County,” Schmitz said reading from her award at the commission meeting.
Eckman has served with the city of Foley for four years. In addition to her work with the Foley Environmental Department, she also works with volunteers monitoring water quality. She said groups such as the Wolf Bay Watershed Watch are working to preserve local streams and the environment.
She said citizen involvement is one reason for the success of projects such as the water monitoring program.
“We work with people on the monitoring program checking water quality,” she said. “It’s going really well. We have a good group of people working in Wolf Bay and we’d like to get more people involved in some other areas.”
Baldwin County Commissioner Charles “Skip” Gruber praised the work done by award winners and members of the advisory committee to help protect and preserve the area environment.
“It’s great to see this organization doing what it’s doing to help with the environment and the recipients were spectacular this year. I think they made some very fine decisions in their selection,” Gruber said. “We are truly very sensitive about our environment because that’s what makes Baldwin County what it is today. It’s the environment that brings everybody here. It’s our beaches and everything else.”