Millie Best Award to Michael Aitkenhead

Weston Today photo

On April 25, the Weston Kiwanis club presented its annual Millie Best Environmental Award to Michael Aitkenhead.

Mr. Aitkenhead teaches environmental science at Weston High School. He is a key figure in several environmental initiatives in Weston, including efforts to remove invasives, the transformation of a vacant courtyard at the schools into a pollinator garden, and the launch of EcoFest.

Contributed photo

EcoFest is a family event at Lachat Town Farm with hands-on activities and a chance to learn from various community and environmental organizations about sustainability and conservation. This year’s edition takes place on May 3.

Mr. Aitkenhead also received a proclamation from First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor designating a day in his honor.

The Millie Best Environmental Award was established in 2005. The late Ms. Best was a Weston resident whose idea of Green Up Day in the early 1970s was meant to encourage volunteers to clean up litter along roads. Over the years, her efforts engaged thousands of volunteers. In the mid-1990s, Green Up Day was declared an annual statewide observance on the last Saturday of April.