Anneke Walsh Receives 2020 Deborah Goldberg Environmental Stewardship Scholarship

Seneca Lake Guardian Announces Recipient, Anneke Walsh
Seneca Lake Guardian (SLG), a grassroots environmental organization whose founders have organized and helped defeat ill-conceived and environmentally damaging projects in the Finger Lakes such as gas storage and transport of propane, garbage burning incinerators, and sewage sludge facilities announced in 2019 the foundation of an annual scholarship in honor of Earthjustice Attorney Deborah Goldberg, who retired last year.
Goldberg, a renowned environmental attorney, led the charge in guiding SLG’s sister organization Gas Free Seneca to victory against Crestwood, a multi-billion dollar oil and gas corporation with plans to turn the FLX into the largest gas storage and transport hub in the Northeastern United States. 
“Deborah Goldberg taught us so much about not only the legal process involved in fighting this predatory corporation, but also how to optimize every political and community angle to defeat that project.  From there, we have been able to develop relationships with decision makers, community members  and business owners throughout the region to continue protecting the Finger Lakes from future environmental threats.  We sought to find a way to memorialize her efforts through an annual scholarship to support others who are pursuing a career in environmental law, as a way of both honoring her and paying it forward for future generations” said Yvonne Taylor, Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian.
The application consists of submitting an essay to the SLG Board, where all applications are reviewed and a recipient is chosen. “We would like to get the word out about this scholarship so that more people are aware of it.  While the scholarship amount is a drop in the bucket relative to tuition costs, every little bit helps, and we want to lend a hand to the  very real need communities have in gaining skilled legal representation when necessary. Keeping communities safe from environmental threats is a three legged stool consisting of grassroots organizers, scientific experts, and good lawyers. But without the best legal advice, you truly can’t succeed,” added Taylor.
Anneke Walsh will be returning to Vermont Law School this Fall. Her application essay for the scholarship can be seen here: Anneke Walsh SLG 2020 Scholarship recipient.

Submitted by Seneca Lake Guardians