Joe Ruggiero of Southbury to Receive 2025 Dr. Taylor Environmental Stewardship Award

(From left to right) Community Engagement Coordinator Olivia DiPalermo, Executive Director Carol Haskins, Joe Ruggiero, and Jan Taylor at the Dr. Marc Taylor Memorial Walk (October 2024).

We are excited to announce that Joe Ruggiero of Southbury has been selected as the recipient of our 2025 Dr. Taylor Environmental Stewardship Award! We will be presenting this award, in honor of our founder Dr. Marc Taylor, during our Silver Soirée 25th anniversary event on June 22, 2025. 

Joe is being recognized with this award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to natural resource conservation. As President of the Southbury Land Trust, he has played a key role in preserving and caring for local open spaces. His commitment to public service is equally impressive, as he serves as Chairman of both the Southbury Ethics Commission and the Southbury Charter Revision Committee and is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus. In 2016, Joe was honored with the Housatonic River Hero Award from the Housatonic Valley Association in recognition of his extensive volunteer efforts. Joe’s involvement with PRWC includes collaborating on guided hikes and paddling events and helping to shape the Conservation Partners of the Pomperaug’s 'Critter Crossing' initiative, a project that protects local salamanders, frogs, and toads during their critical spring migrations. 

Joe is well known throughout the Watershed for his kind and friendly demeanor, versatile talents, and willingness to help others. We are grateful for the work Joe has done, and continues to do, to protect the health of our waterways and the lands that surround them. Congratulations Joe!