Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. was accorded "The Friends of the Lehigh River Award" by Wildlands Conservacy Center June 25.

Scott Everett, manager of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the Saucon Creek Watershed Association, was also honored during a ceremony at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus. The presentation of the 15th annual awards marked the culmination of the society's 17th annual Lehigh River Sojourn from Jim Thorpe to Canal Park, Northampton.

The honorees were presented with a unique memento. Instead of a plaque or certificate, they received a rock from the river itself.

"I think it's very appropriate that we award a piece of the river to those who have given so much to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the Lehigh River," said Christoher Kocher of Egypt, Wildlands Conservancy president.

"I am humbled," Hozza told The Press, adding he is receiving the award on behalf of all residents in Whitehall Township.

Instead of putting the rock on his desk as a paperweight, it will go into a newly installed display case of memorabilia in the board of commissioners meeting room.

"First of all, I do drink the Lehigh River water every day," Hozza told those gathered at the ceremony. His comment brought a smile to the face of his father, Edward D. Hozza Sr., chairman of the Northampton Borough Municipal Authority, which provides drinking water from the Lehigh River to area communities, including sections of Whitehall.

Kocher said Hozza has made protecting open space in Whitehall a priority.

Hozza said this also was a priority of former Whitehall Executives Glenn Solt and Michael Harakal.

Among the recent open space preservation initiatives is the township's recent acquisition of the Prydun Farm, located next to the Ironton Rail-Trail and Hokendauqua Park and Playground. It is also situated next to the Coplay Creek, which feeds the Lehigh River.

"That purchase was a triple whammy," Hozza said.

The township not only was able to preserve the land as open space, but also was able to preserve the original 1780 house of Christian Mickley. The acquisition of the farm gives the township contiguous open space along the IRT and Hokendauqua park.