The Susquehanna River Basin Commission presents the
2002 William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award to Harry Barnes

Harry Barnes, left, receives the award from Commissioner John Hicks

Harry Barnes has been a dedicated environmentalist for many years, and his emphasis on environmental education and hands-on learning have been invaluable since the late 1960s. His many accomplishments make him a worthy recipient of the William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award for Environmental Excellence.

Harry is currently a certified canoe instructor and a NY State licensed guide, helping children appreciate the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. He is also an active member of the Sierra Club, where he serves on the wetlands committee and chairs the population committee. In the past, Harry has held positions at a variety of environmental education facilities, including:

• Director, Nature Study Program, Massachusetts Audubon Society
• Director, Lakeside Nature Center, Spring Valley, NY
• Director, Montour Preserve Environmental Studies Center, Turbotville, PA
• Board President, Fred L. Waterman Conservation Education Center, Apalachin, NY
• Adjunct Instructor, Cortland College, in the Dept. of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Cortland, NY
• Program Coordinator, Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Binghamton, NY

In addition, Harry spearheaded the creation of the Susquehanna River Watch Program while working for BOCES from 1984 to May 2001. For that program, he raised about $200,000 in grant monies to support water quality studies by local schools through teacher training and the development of curriculum guides and a web-based data management and reporting program. His emphasis on watershed management in his teachings helped students and teachers better understand the water quality problems associated with erosion and the importance of maintaining healthy buffers along waterways.

William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award

William W. Jeanes, Sr. Biography

Past Recipients

Return to Commission Awards page.