Connecticut Fund for the Environment Local HeRo: Winnie Balboni.

Winnie Balboni wants to make a difference for the environment whenever and wherever she can. In fact she believes we all have the power to pitch in and do our part. For the last 11-years Winnie has served as a captain for a huge beach cleanup effort at Sherwood Island State Park during the International Coastal Cleanup held each September.

Working with the National Charity League, Winnie successfully recruits between 100-150 volunteers each year. The Sherwood Island project is near and dear to Winnie's heart. In 1995 she founded The Friends of Sherwood Island State Park to help raise funds from public and private sources, plan the park's future and work to maintain the area for future generations. Winnie is the current president of the organization.

When she is not cleaning-up beaches you can find the 80+ year old ball of energy supporting the causes of the Westport Garden Club. Winnie presented all club members with reusable shopping bags at a recent meeting. The bags are part of an initiative in the town of Westport and were given to encourage support of the town's green initiatives.