SHARE Huda Alkaff Submitted photo

By of the

A Wisconsin woman who has spent more than a decade promoting environmental preservation as an Islamic faith ethic is among a dozen people who will be honored by the White House on this week for their work protecting communities from the effects of climate change.

Huda Alkaff of West Bend, founder and director of the Islamic Environmental Group of Wisconsin — now called Wisconsin Green Muslims — will be honored as a "Champion of Change."

"These champions have demonstrated clear leadership across the United States and around the world through their grassroots efforts to green their communities and educate others on the moral and social justice implications of climate change," the White House said in a statement.

"It's an honor, of course," said Alkaff, an environmentalist with degrees in conservation ecology, sustainable development and environmental education.

Though she has been singled out for the award, she said she would be accepting for everyone who has taken part in the initiatives — both in the Muslim and interfaith communities.

"It's a collective effort," she said.

Wisconsin Green Muslims, which marked its 10th anniversary in June, is the first organization in Wisconsin to receive the national GreenFaith Water Shield certification. The certificate recognizes faith-based organizations that take steps "educational, spiritual, and practical" to conserve water and protect water quality, according to its web site.

It takes part in the national Greening Ramadan initiative, this year hosting a water themed "iftar" — the nightly breaking of the fast during the holy month. It encouraged mosques to enroll in utility companies' renewable energy programs; and offered resources to help them boost their recycling, cut water waste and energy usage and take other planet-friendly steps.

Alkaff is also a founding member and leader of the Interfaith Earth Network and Wisconsin Interfaith Power and Light. She serves on the national Interfaith Power and Light Campaigns Committee, the national Greening Ramadan Task Force, and the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium board of directors.