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Phil Bousquet and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh
ESF to Honor Mayor Ben Walsh, Phil Bousquet with Sol Feinstone Environmental Award
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Oct. 21, 2025 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) will present the 2025 Sol Feinstone Environmental Award to Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, and Phil Bousquet, founding member of Bousquet Holstein PLLC, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship and community service.
The Sol Feinstone Award honors individuals who care for the environment, encourage volunteerism, and advance society’s understanding of environmental issues and their solutions. This year’s recipients exemplify those values through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to the public good.
Bousquet is a leading authority on New York state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), which incentivizes the redevelopment of contaminated properties. Since the program’s inception in 2003, Bousquet has helped stakeholders unlock its potential to drive both environmental and economic revitalization. His work has supported over $9 billion in construction value and more than $1.5 billion in tax credits, making a lasting impact on communities across New York. A Syracuse native, Bousquet remains engaged in civic life, including his service on the Board of Trustees of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology.
Walsh, Syracuse’s 54th and first independent mayor, has championed sustainability and inclusive growth since taking office in 2018. His administration launched the Sustainable Syracuse Initiative and a citywide Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Through programs such as the Syracuse Build and the Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative, he has prioritized workforce development and affordable housing, helping to shape a more equitable and resilient city.
“Sol Feinstone believed that the strength of a free society lies in people’s willingness to do voluntarily what must be done for the good of all,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “Mayor Walsh and Phil Bousquet embody the Feinstone spirit through their dedication to environmental progress and community service.”
The Feinstone Awards banquet is the premier fundraising event for ESF. Proceeds directly support scholarships for high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students at ESF.
“The funds raised through the Feinstone Awards event, and throughout the year, have an incredible impact on our ESF community and help our students continue to do remarkable work,” said ESF’s Chief Advancement Officer Brenda Greenfield.
The Feinstone Awards dinner will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23 at ESF’s Gateway Center.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.