Seven Good Steward awards will be presented to islanders and local organizations in recognition of exceptional environmental stewardship on Saturday, June 21 at the Orcas Island Solstice Celebration.

At 11 a.m., winners will be presented with a “Finee” award – a glazed ceramic salmon made by Crow Valley Pottery – at the cluster of booths hosted by Stewardship Network members. This years’ award winners are:

Youth Stewardship: Zach Kostechko of Orcas Island. A senior at Orcas High School, Zack contributed a total of 66 volunteer hours serving with the Orcas Youth Conservation Corps last summer. He also served as a cadet for the Orcas Volunteer Fire Department and helped plan and install a demonstration rain garden in front of Ray’s Pharmacy.

Educator Stewardship: Debbie Taylor of San Juan Island. Debbie teaches math and science to sixth grade students at Friday Harbor Elementary School. Through the use of multi-media technology and dynamic learning experiences, she motivates her students to develop skills that will encourage creative thinking while becoming responsible and respectful global citizens.

Farmland Stewardship: Christine Langley of Lopez Island. A sustainable organic farmer for over 15 years, Christine controls diseases and pests organically, rotates her crops, uses drip irrigation and rain water for watering, utilizes solar energy for chicken fences and keeps bees to help pollinate her crops.

Individual Stewardship: Chuck O’Clair of San Juan Island. Chuck has been an invaluable animal care volunteer at Wolf Hollow for more than 12 years. He has also volunteered countless hours to various organizations, including conducting beached bird surveys for COASST, collecting data for Three Meadows Marsh and Christmas bird trumpeter swan counts for Audubon each winter.

Woodland Stewardship: Ken and Marcia Culver of Orcas Island. Ken and Marcia and their family donated their 24-acre shoreline and forest preserve to the San Juan Preservation Trust in 2013. This property had been in the family for six generations. The Culvers are currently working with neighbors to place a conservation easement on an adjoining 60 additional acres.

Business Stewardship: Deer Harbor Charters of Orcas Island. Co-owners father and son team Tom and Nate Averna have run their charter business for over 30 years. They were chosen for their generous donations of time and resources in support of the marine environment and the education of the community.

Special Award for Environmental Awareness: Friends of Moran of Orcas Island. This organization provides stewardship and outreach programs for visitors to Moran State Park. Michel Vekved has volunteered many hours over the years to build a volunteer team, launch the organization’s website and create the Summit Gift Shop and Learning Center.

For full profiles of these islanders, go to www.stewardshipsanjuans.org.