Business notes: Blue Valley teacher honored for environmental studies

Environmental educator

Eric Kessler, the bioscience director for the Blue Valley School District’s Center for Advanced Professionial Studies, has been honored for his work in incorporating environmental education in the classroom.

Kessler received honorable mention recognition for the 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators in Region 7 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA and the White House Council on Enviromental Quality administer the innovation award.

Kessler, one of 15 teachers nationally to receive honorable mention status, was selected for his efforts in working with Blue Valley North High School biology and life science students.

Nonprofit funding

Two Kansas City area nonprofit organizations have been awarded about $120,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for projects involving the Middle Blue River through Jackson County and part of Johnson County. The separate grants to the Blue River Watershed Association and the Heartland Conservation Alliance Inc. were part of $2.1 million in funding awarded by the EPA to 37 organizations in 17 states and Puerto Rico.

Property manager

Copaken Brooks has hired Lonny Stump as property manager for the company’s City Center Lenexa project, the site of Perceptive Software’s new corporate headquarters. Stump, who has worked in real estate more than 25 years, will also be responsible for the Lenexa Point development, which includes a new Sprouts Farmers Market. Kansas City-based Copaken Brooks’ properties include Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.

This story was originally published August 12, 2014 at 12:36 PM with the headline "Business notes: Blue Valley teacher honored for environmental studies."