REPI manager earns award for outstanding Merritt

Hillary Merritt, project manager for The Trust for Public Land, was presented an Air Force level award Feb. 22, 2017 by Col. David Miller, Jr., 460th Space Wing commander, at the Aurora Municipal Center in Aurora, Colo. The Commander’s Public Service Award is designed to recognize service or achievements of a private citizen who has contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission of an Air Force Agency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica A. Huggins/Released)

Hillary Merritt, project manager for The Trust for Public Land, poses with colleagues and the presenter of her award, Col. David Miller, Jr., 460th Space Wing commander Feb. 22, 2017, at the Aurora Municipal Center in Aurora, Colo. Merritt was presented the Commander’s Public Service Award for her outstanding efforts which contribute to the mission of an Air Force Agency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica A. Huggins/Released)

Published Feb. 23, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Huggins

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Hillary Merritt, The Trust for Public Land project manager, was presented an Air Force level award to recognize her services and achievements as a private citizen for her contributions to the accomplishment of the missions of an Air Force agency.

Col. David Miller, Jr., 460th Space Wing commander, presented her with the Commander’s Public Service Award on Feb. 22 at the Public-Public, Public-Private (P4) Steering Committee meeting held at the Aurora Municipal Center in Aurora, Colorado.

Ms. Merritt’s efforts have helped secure $22.7 million from the Department of Defense and partner funds. She has also helped protect 262 acres of land surrounding the base.

As the project manager of this non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of open land, Ms. Merritt played a significant role in the development and implementation of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration initiative at Buckley.

REPI is a P4 partnership between the City of Aurora, Arapahoe County, The Trust for Public Land, the state of Colorado, Buckley AFB, and other organizations to develop a compatible use buffer around the installation. This protects flying and space missions from encroachment, while also serving to create open space and trails in the area for the public’s enjoyment.