The Georgia Board of Natural Resources has chosen Andrea Timpone, executive director of Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville, for the 2008 Rock Howard Award.

The award is named for the late R.S. "Rock" Howard, the first director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division in 1972. It is given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to conservation and sustainability.

Timpone, who has been Elachee's director for more than 20 years, was selected for her efforts to promote environmental education and to protect the 1,500-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.

Elachee serves more than 35,000 students each year and was Georgia's first environmental education center to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Jim Walters of Gainesville, a DNR board member, nominated Timpone for the Rock Howard Award. Timpone was announced as the winner Tuesday during the board's monthly meeting in Atlanta.