When Korrin Petersen, an attorney for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, took the stage to present Wareham resident Mack Phinney with one of the Coaltion's 2012 Guardian Awards, she could best describe him as an “unsung hero.”

A retired Wareham High School environmental sciences teacher, Phinney has spent the last ten years working with the Coalition and the Wareham Land Trust on several restoration projects.

The annual award is given in recognition of community members who have worked to further restore Buzzards Bay.

Robert Hancock, vice-president of education at the Coalition, said Phinney has been committed to educating the community about preserving the local, natural habitats.

“He is really instilling environmental stewardship with students and he’s grown even more to promote environmental science,” Hancock said.

When told he was getting the award last week, Phinney said he was “honored.” Both staff members of the Coalition and community members make nominations for the award.

“I’ve always spent a lot of time in the woods and boating, and since I retired, I had lots of time to do those environmental and preservation projects I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

Phinney accepted his award, which came in the shape of a bay scallop, at the reception held at the Kittansett Club in Marion on May 10.

Phinney has spent years working with the Coalition on nitrogen pollution solutions and improving vegetation at several local waterways. He shares his findings with the community, and said it's all part of being an educator.

“My motto has always been: Education, education, education,” Phinney said. “I’m always interested in ways to make the world more sustainable for us all, and for all of the other critters we share the world with. If I can share my passion with other people and get them interested, that’s why I do it.”