Beth Yanity receives the Edith Mefley Award from Carroll Brewster. —Peter Reich photo
The Ridgefield Conservation Commission honored longtime commission member Beth Yanity with its Edith Meffley Award on May 8. The Edith Meffley Award is given by the commission to honor dedicated servants of the Ridgefield environment. Ms. Yanity served on the Conservation Commission from February 1992 to this spring, stepping down after 22 years.
Ms. Yanity’s initial interest in working to preserve Ridgefield open space stemmed from her involvement with the Norwalk River Board. Her awareness of the impact of litter on the waters that flow downstream from Ridgefield (Ridgefield is the origin of nine river headwaters) spurred her to be part of the solution. A teacher by training and a mother of seven, Ms. Yanity seized the opportunity to teach young people the importance of reducing litter and preserving our open spaces. Her efforts yielded the annual Ridgefield event “Rid Litter Day.”
Ms. Yanity’s legacy at the Conservation Commission also includes developing the annual appeal letter, inviting financial donations which enable the town to purchase and preserve open space as it becomes available.
Ms. Yanity said she’s always impressed by the support and generosity of Ridgefield residents. Ridgefield has a goal of preserving 30% of its land as open space, another goal Ms. Yanity has helped to further.
Ms. Yanity also was the founder of the Conservation Commission’s Ranger program. Rangers are assigned to individual open spaces, which they monitor to keep the commission informed on trail conditions, invasive plants, and other challenges to our open space. Thanks to Ms. Yanity, the community at large is integral to maintaining our open space.
Ms. Yanity’s resignation is due to a desire to travel and spend more time with her seven children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“Their gain is the Conservation Commission’s loss, though certainly Ms. Yanity leaves behind a legacy of commitment and contributions from which all Ridgefielders continue to benefit,” the commission said.
