The Winners of the 2010 Heart of Green Awards

Who she is: Best known as a model on advertisements for national cosmetics lines, Josie Maran is also an actress.

Why she's green: In 2007 she launched Josie Maran Cosmetics, a makeup and skincare company devoted to producing makeup that is as safe and natural as it is beautiful. Her cosmetics line is the culmination of years of work and research on makeup and she's quickly grown it into a successful green brand. For proving that it's possible to make "chic-ological" products that are beautiful and natural, Josie Maran was honored with a Heart of Green Award at a ceremony April 20 in New York City.

What she says: She told The Daily Green, "Once people see that there a lot of brands making natural products, they'll start believing in it. It'll take time but when enough information gets out there everybody will just get it."

Who they are: Brian Halweil and Stephen Munshin, publishers and editors of Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End.

Why they're green: Founded by Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian, Edible Communities is an innovative business that has launched 65 independently run Edible magazines across the country, with plans to launch 10 more every year. The first book, Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods was just published. Every title is in celebration and support of local farmers, fishers, chefs and, of course, those who enjoy good healthy food.

What they say: In his acceptance speech for a 2010 Heart of Green Award, Halweil described Edible magazines "spreading like weeds" and "popping up like mushrooms" – a decidedly good trend that mirrors the local food movement.

Who he is: The Chairman of Walkway Over the Hudson, a nonprofit group responsible for refurbishing a towering 1889 railroad bridge in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., into one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. Within a few years, it will be connected to 25 miles of rail trails running through New York's Hudson Valley.

Why he's green: Walkway Over the Hudson, which was designated a state park in October 2009, has become the state's third-most popular park, after Niagara Falls and Jones Beach. With more than half a million visitors in half a year, it not only offers visitors an unparalleled view of the Hudson River and an extraordinary recreational space, but it is helping to revitalize the City of Poughkeepsie, showing how parks can generate economic growth. Nominated by The Daily Green's audience, Fred Schaeffer was chosen as the 2010 Local Hero at the Heart of Green Awards April 20 in New York City.

What he says: "They estimated 250,000 people would visit in a year. We're already closing in on 600,000," he told The Daily Green. People just love to walk it and enjoy the peaceful quietness of being out over the river and enjoying the great scenic view."

Who she is: Best known for her role on ER, Gloria Reuben is an acclaimed actress, and an accomplished singer.

Why she's green: A fierce advocate for human health, human rights and the environment, she volunteers in leadership positions for the Waterkeeper Alliance and the National Wildlife Federation. She is also actively engaged with the work of the Rainforest Action Network and the Alliance for Climate Protection. The focus of her advocacy is to raise awareness about pollution from coal, and the promise of renewable energy technologies.

What she says: "The first thing I would like to see people do is to get educated," she told The Daily Green. "Learn the facts. Learn what is really going on. Do not listen to the ones who are denying the reality. The more we learn the more apt we are to do something about what we learn."

Who he is: The former president and CEO of the National Audubon Society.

Why he's green: For 15 years, Flicker steered the nation's most prominent bird conservation group to key gains in habitat protection, policy advocacy, citizen science and environmental awareness. He led the establishment of new nature centers across the country, particularly in low-income areas and to help communities of color reconnect with nature. Flicker has been at the forefront of mobilizing the U.S.'s 63 million birders in response to climate change.

What he says: "Birds don't debate climate change, they just react," he told The Daily Green. "People who are out on the ground, whether they are a gardener, fisher, hunter or birder, they don't question it, they see it. They see plants growing where they didn't before, and they see wildlife habitat changing."

Who he is: The director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and the lead investigator of the National Children's Study, a landmark effort to understand the causes of chronic childhood illnesses, like asthma, autism, obesity and attention deficit disorder.

Why he's green: In the 1970s, his research was largely responsible for identifying the toxic properties of lead, and its effect on children, prompting laws to remove lead from gasoline and paint. His research has also prompted the government to reduce exposures to chemical residue on food, and to consider the health impacts of chemicals not only on adults, but on children as well.

What he says: "We've had studies that look at men and women's health, and we knew that those studies had made very powerful findings that had influenced health in this country," he told The Daily Green. "We're very much in hopes that the National Children's Study will do the same for kids."

Who he is: Jamie Oliver, chef and TV personality, is well known for his Naked Chef TV show and book. He is currently the host of Food Revolution.

Why he's green: Jamie Oliver is helping kids eat better and feel better – one school lunch at a time. His television show Food Revolution takes on one of the unhealthiest towns in America and attempts to change the way people think about food. Oliver strives to make people reconsider how they feed themselves and their children, with characteristic passion and humor. His dedication to helping people make healthy choices is unparalleled and that's why The Daily Green honored him with a 2010 Heart of Green Award April 20 at a ceremony in New York City.

What he says: In his acceptance speech for his 2010 Heart of Green Award, Oliver said he aims to "get more schools to switch from processed to fresh foods, and hopes to inspire more people to learn to cook."