Four San Diego Chapter Members Will National Awards

SAN FRANCISCO - Sept. 15, 2001 - Four members from the San Diego Chapter were among those receiving national awards from the Sierra Club this year.

Glenn Torbett received the Susan Miller Award, which recognizes outstanding service to chapters. Torbett initially became involved with the chapter as an outings leader, but later moved into administrative roles. As a chapter ExComm member from 1994 to 1997, he helped the chapter make major changes to its bylaws, dramatically improve its financial strength, hire effective staff, increase membership and regain effectiveness in the community. He also served as chair of the chapter newsletter for three years.

Torbett has represented the chapter for seven years at the California-Nevada Regional Conservation Committee meetings, and has held several leadership positions on that committee. He also has held many positions within Sierra Club California.

"Glen has worked diligently on many levels of the club with an amazing diversity of interests and skills," said Chapter Chair Ellen Shively.

Carolyn Chase received a Special Service Award, which recognizes strong and consistent commitment to conservation over an extended period of time. Chase is a former chair of the San Diego Chapter as well as chair of the chapter's political committee. She has been instrumental in securing passage of several smart growth initiatives in the San Diego area as well as several important transportation initiatives. She also has planned San Diego's Earth Day celebration for many years and writes a regular weekly newspaper column about the environment.

"There is no doubt that Carolyn is one of the most proactive, clear thinking, articulate forces for environmental protection in the history of conservation activism in San Diego County," Shively said.

Edie and Jim Harmon also received a Special Service Award for their many years of environmental work in California. Most recently, the Harmons were responsible for getting the Bureau of Land Management - for the first time in its history - to turn down a proposal for a mine on BLM lands. In another recent case they found that the BLM has grossly under-appraised some land that had been sold for a mega-landfill. The Harmons also have been involved in several endangered species lawsuits and other lawsuits related to the California Desert.

"While much work remains to be done, Edie and Jim Harmon have made a difference - a big difference," Shively said.

Edie Harmon has already won the San Diego Chapter's highest award, the Silver Cup Award.