Good Ancestor Award

Melvin Giles' commitment to intergenerational work on climate solutions was recognized with the Good Ancestor Award.
 Melvin is a tireless peace loving community builder who has been spreading the good word about community gardening and greening to his neighbors in St Paul’s Frogtown and Summit University neighborhoods for over 30 years. 

Melvin most recently successfully advocated for re-establishing the urban canopy for the Rondo and Frogtown communities and has engaged youth and elders together in this tree planting project. 

Paul Thompson was honored for his his lifelong commitment to environmental work: as a teacher, board member at Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for Environmental Action, founder of Cool Planet, member of Citizens' Climate Lobby, and current chair of ECA-TC's legislative team.

Paul really earns the Good Ancestor Award. He works hard and often to address the issues about climate change. He is a mentor and an inspiration to many.  He is a great activist and leads by the example of his life. 

ECA-TC recognized Craig Neal's role as a champion of hyperlocal urban agriculture through a community sponsored garden in his neighborhood, where he and his wife Patricia grow food and flowers for 13 families totalling 53 people. Each family collects weekly harvests of produce May through October. 
Their urban CSA is a model for teaching local residents the importance of healthy, organic food and where it comes from. 

Working with his neighborhood families, Craig has developed enthusiasm and curiosity for growing and sharing homegrown food with the people he sees everyday.