Al Larson Environmental Award
The Environmental Committee proposed to name the Green Recognition Award in honor of Mayor Al Larson, giving it the title The Al Larson Environmental Award. Schaumburg’s Village President, Al Larson has been a champion for the environment for many years. In 1971/1972 the Environmental Committee began as an unofficial volunteer citizens organization called the Clean Environment Committee. Al Larson served as one of the first members of the committee.
The Clean Environment Committee established recycling programs in their early years. In 1973/1974 Mayor Bob Atcher made the committee permanent as the Village of Schaumburg Environmental Committee and appointed Al Larson as the Chairperson.
In the early 1970s Al Larson began a long time commitment to the preservation and promotion of the Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary. Al Larson is one of the founding members of the Spring Valley Nature Club and a signer on the club constitution which was drafted in 1974. He was the second recipient of the Ellsworth Meineke Award in 1977 for his demonstrated extraordinary efforts to preserve our living heritage. He served in many positions on the Spring Valley Nature Club Board as well as a Director and continues his service today by contributing articles to, and as Editor of the Spring Valley Nature Club newsletter “News Leaf.”
In 1975 Al Larson was elected as a Trustee and served as a Trustee until he was elected Mayor in 1987. Throughout his term as Village President, Mayor Larson has continued his support for the environment. In 2001, the Village Board adopted a Resolution of Support for the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan and directed staff to prepare a biodiversity recovery plan for the village. In 2004, the Village Board adopted the award winning Village of Schaumburg Biodiversity Recovery Plan. In 2008 the Village Board approved the Village of Schaumburg Comprehensive Green Action Plan as a further commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.