"I was excited because we applied for an [Environmental Advisory Council] award, which was in March, and I went to the workshop and we didn't win," said Ropski. "When I saw the other winners I thought we did so much more."

The Sustainability Award, which is given to businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, schools, individuals and government agencies, recognizes those that excel in specific areas such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, storm-water management, green building design and more, according to the Philadelphia Sustainability Award Web site.

Ropski credits the township's winning the award to Upper Dublin's work on the open space initiative, storm-water management, pesticide management, the use of renewable energy, and the Growing Green grant.

"All these things add up," Ropski said. "We're winning because we've done so much work."

Upper Dublin's EPAB, which is run by a committee of seven members appointed by the township commissioners to each serve three-year terms, is focused on engaging citizens in the environmental projects the board carries out, Ropski said.

"We're one of the most prominent boards in Montgomery County," said Ropski, who has served on the board since 1999. "We keep raising the bar.

"The projects are out there - it's just that someone needs to motivate and someone needs to be the leader to do it."

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