2006.06.05: June 5, 2006: Headlines: COS - Guinea-Bissau: Environment: Awards: The Enterprise: Guinea-Bissau RPCV Jennifer Carlino receives Individual Environmental Merit Award from the New England EPA
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2006.06.05: June 5, 2006: Headlines: COS - Guinea-Bissau: Environment: Awards: The Enterprise: Guinea-Bissau RPCV Jennifer Carlino receives Individual Environmental Merit Award from the New England EPA
Guinea-Bissau RPCV Jennifer Carlino receives Individual Environmental Merit Award from the New England EPA
In 1999, Carlino was appointed to oversee Norton's Wetland Protection Act. Since then, her goal has been to protect the town's wetlands. Today, she is a resident of Hopedale and conservation director for the town of Norton.
Guinea-Bissau RPCV Jennifer Carlino receives Individual Environmental Merit Award from the New England EPA
People & places: Jennifer Carlino honored by EPA
By Kevin Tocci, Enterprise correspondent
NORTON — When it came to choosing a career, Jennifer Carlino looked at exploring for fossils or saving the environment.
"Then I realized that there wasn't really anything I wanted to search for," Carlino said.
So she opted for preserving the environment and today is the conservation director for the town of Norton.
Carlino, 34, was recently commended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for her accomplishments in protecting the environment. She received an Individual Environmental Merit Award from the New England EPA.
"Through her determination and ingenuity, Ms. Carlino is directly responsible for the permanent preservation of over 119 acres of land, and under Jennifer's direction, the town of Norton increased its acreage of permanently protected land from 9 percent to 19.5 percent," the EPA said in honoring her last month.
Carlino developed an interest in the environment after trying archeology as a major in college.
"It probably had (more) to do with Indiana Jones than anything else," Carlino said about her initial fascination with archeology. "I didn't think it would be that exciting, but I thought it might be interesting."
After spending a semester at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, she decided it was time for a change.
"I realized that I didn't want to study archeology and wanted something in the environment," Carlino said. "So I transferred to Bridgewater State, and environmental geography was the closest thing that they had for some kind of nature study."
Before leaving college, she applied for the Peace Corps, hoping to be placed somewhere that she could make a difference.
"I think they said something like 80 percent go to Africa," Carlino said. "So I kind of knew it would be around there."
After graduating, she was sent to Guinea-Bissau, in the western part of Africa. For two years, she lived and worked at a village that was home to 500 people.
"I had to learn Fulani because nobody spoke English," Carlino said. "I ate what they ate, minus the meat, because I'm a vegetarian."
Much of her time was spent on projects that cultivated the village's agriculture. For example, they learned how to graft fruit trees to provide a better variety of fruit, Carlino said.
After her Peace Corps stint, Carlino knew she wanted outdoor work and became assistant director of conservation in Billerica.
In 1999, Carlino was appointed to oversee Norton's Wetland Protection Act. Since then, her goal has been to protect the town's wetlands. Today, she is a resident of Hopedale and conservation director for the town of Norton.
"About half of my day is outside in the field, Carlino said. "I go out to the property to look at everything that is shown on the plan to make sure everything is accurate."
Last year, Carlino helped to negotiate conservation restrictions at an 18-acre parcel of land that runs along the Canoe River. Another 76 acres of land that sat near the river was converted into a wildlife corridor that's near the Great Woods area.
Carlino also assisted in completing a survey of approximately 940 acres of protected land and water bodies. She helped author Norton's 5-year open space and recreation plan.
"It lists all of the town's resources and then it proposes projects, so you can shape the town's open spaces through those projects," Carlino said.
She also certified 19 vernal pools with the Mass. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
She is active with other regional projects, such as the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee. Its primary goal is to protect 126 acres designated as the Canoe River Greenbelt project.
Another goal is to try and stimulate the community's interest in wildlife. She said there are several events scheduled through the next few months for people to enjoy the outdoor environment.
"We would like to get everyone to attend and get them involved," Carlino said.
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Story Source: The Enterprise
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Guinea-Bissau; Environment; Awards
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