Resolution commending Commissioner Ruth Gravanis for her service on the San Francisco Commission on the Environment

[Commending Commissioner Ruth Gravanis]

Resolution commending Commissioner Ruth Gravanis for her service on the San Francisco Commission on the Environment.
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom on July 12, 2006 and then reappointed by Mayor Edwin M. Lee, serving on the San Francisco Commission on the Environment until November 30, 2014; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis has served as the Commission on the Environment Vice-President and Policy Committee Vice-Chair; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis has demonstrated a life-long commitment to protecting the environment before joining the Commission on the Environment working with the Alliance for a Clean Waterfront, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island base conversion, the Public Trust Group, the California Native Plant Society and the Audubon Society. She has served as the director of the Restoring the Bay Campaign of the Save San Francisco Bay Association and as executive director of the San Francisco Friends of the Urban Forest; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis’ countless volunteer hours include a year as chair of the Sierra Club Bay Chapter and many years on the San Francisco Group's Conservation Committee. She's been honored with the Sierra Club's national Special Service Award and the Jack Morrison Lifetime Achievement Award from San Francisco Tomorrow; and,

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis is a long-time champion for the protection and restoration of San Francisco’s natural heritage; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis has worked with the Department to vigorously promote sustainable development, particularly with regard to the Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island and Candlestick/Hunters Point developments and the America’s Cup Event; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis was instrumental in the development of a citywide biodiversity policy and the creation of a biodiversity position within the department; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis’ efforts to protect San Francisco’s indigenous biodiversity have included the expansion of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary, ending the release of commercially raised butterflies, reduction in combined sewage discharges into the Bay and Ocean, naming the Endangered Pacific Leatherback as the Official Marine Reptile of California, and banning the release of helium balloons; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis has been a dedicated advocate for smart consumerism, urging awareness of the carbon footprint of our purchases and promoting a reduction in car ownership; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis was an early proponent of banning the sale of plastic water bottles on City property and the implementation of practical hydration alternatives; and,
 

WHEREAS, Commissioner Ruth Gravanis has dedicated her service to the Commission on the Environment; and,
 

WHEREAS, The Commission and the Department of the Environment would like to extend a commendation for her outstanding service and dedication; and
 

WHEREAS, The Commission on the Environment and the Department of the Environment are appreciative of all the work that Commissioner Ruth Gravanis performed; now therefore, be it,
 

RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Commission on the Environment and the Department of the Environment recognize the honorable Commissioner Ruth Gravanis’ contribution to protecting and advancing San Francisco’s environmental wellbeing, and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
 

I hereby certify that this Resolution was adopted at the Commission on the Environment’s Meeting on January 27, 2015.

Monica Fish, Commission Secretary
VOTE:       5-0 Approved; 2 Vacant 
AYES:       Commissioners Arce, King, Stephenson, Wald and Wan  
NOES:       None 
ABSENT:   None