LEHMAN TOWNSHIP – The Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Community (NCAC) honored the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) with an award during the 2008 Community Awards Program.

The Center received first place in the Environment & Animal Welfare category for the Green construction of its new dining hall. The community award highlighted the new building’s sustainable design and the benefits of this Green design on the Earth. Aside from its positive effect on the environment, the dining hall is also used as a learning tool for the 24,000 students, teachers, families and individuals who visit PEEC annually.

PEEC’s Executive Director/CEO Jim Rienhardt accepted the award, “Through over $7 million of Congressional, State, County and private funding sources, PEEC has made improvements to its facilities that will benefit our guests and the environment. We are very honored to receive this award and to be recognized by NCAC and NEPA for our efforts.”

The community awards highlight local nonprofit organizations that make an extraordinary impact within NCAC’s seven-county region, which includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties. For more information on NCAC or the NEPA Alliance call (570) 655-5581.

PEEC’s mission is to enhance environmental awareness, knowledge and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. For more information, visit www.peec.org.