To the editor:

A wonderful recognition within our community went unreported recently, so I did not want to miss the opportunity to say “congratulations” to the winners of the First Business Environmental Award, the Community Mercantile.

This award was the inception of Imagination and Place, a collaborative effort of artists, environmentalists, community activists and scholars based at the Lawrence Arts Center. The Community Mercantile was given the award for its exemplary business practices that build our community, protect our environment and place value in an ethic of sustainability.

The Merc retrofitted its facility to include extensive energy conservation features; it promotes and offers local produce and/or certified organic products; and it has full recycling services for its solid waste while also conducting extensive public education and outreach within our community on a variety of sustainability issues.

Hats off as well to the good folks of Imagination and Place, who recognized the similarities between making art and stewardship of our environment. Both these demand creativity and risk-taking to achieve fulfillment. I look forward to seeing many future Environmental Awards within Lawrence and Douglas County and to hearing about the good news in the Journal-World.

Carey Maynard-Moody,

Lawrence