Palm Desert, CA --- Four local Friends of the Desert Mountains’ supporters will receive awards of excellence from The American Planning Association, Inland Empire Section (APA) for their leadership on local environmental, education and community planning issues. The award recipients will be honored at a special awards dinner on May 21 at the Mission Inn in Riverside. “It takes a lot of friends to protect our mountains, vistas, trails and open space,” said Ted Lennon, President of Friends of the Desert Mountains. “We are pleased and proud that the visionary leadership and contributions of our board members and volunteers are being recognized by the APA.” Friends honored this year include Joan Taylor, Friends’ board member, who will receive the Distinguished Leadership by a Citizen Award. For over three decades, Ms. Taylor has been a forceful, yet pragmatic leader on conservation issues in the Coachella Valley. As conservation director of the local Sierra Club chapter, Ms. Taylor has represented environmental interests in development of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP), since its inception in 1994. The CVMSHCP provides a regional vision for balanced growth that will help conserve the Coachella Valley's natural heritage while also building a strong economy vital to our future. Without the partnership between the Building Industry Association-Desert Chapter and the local environmental community represented by Ms. Taylor, this remarkable regional plan would have not been feasible. Sue Adams, another Friends’ boardmember, will receive an Award of Merit in recognition of her contributions to the Coachella Valley for more than 35 years, educating visitors and residents through the docent programs she created at the Palm Springs Art Museum and The Living Desert. Giving her time and expertise to inspire interest and involvement in the natural area that surrounds the desert, Ms. Adams has been instrumental in exposing the beauty of the desert in its natural setting. She has long promoted land preservation in the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains.