HARRISBURG – From environmental justice advocates to business entrepreneurs, school students to senior citizens, many Pennsylvanians work to protect the air, land and waters of the Commonwealth.
To honor their efforts, the Department of Environmental Protection seeks applications for the 2017 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
“These awards bring much-deserved recognition to environmental stewards who, project by project, improve Pennsylvania,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
“Whether they’re boots on the ground or creators of innovative solutions that help lead us in new directions in environmental protection, their work greatly benefits all of us in the Commonwealth.”
Individuals and organizations are invited to apply for the 2017 awards for projects completed between Aug. 1, 2015, and July 31, 2016.
The awards are open to all individuals, whether a project leader or participant, and to all nonprofits, businesses, farms, government agencies and educational institutions. Individuals may also nominate someone they know.
The application deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at 5 p.m. Applications must be e-mailed to RA-EPgovenviroawards@pa.gov.
Find complete project guidelines and applications at 2017 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
Projects are evaluated on the basis of nine criteria: degree of environmental protection, public service, pollution prevention, climate change, sustainability, partnership, economic impact, innovative technology and environmental education and outreach. A project doesn’t need to meet all criteria to merit an award.
The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence have been presented since 1996. Recent past recipients include the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, for its community farm in a low-income neighborhood in Philadelphia; the Borough of Etna, for its Green Streetscape stormwater management system; Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, for its statewide volunteer cleanup events; the Pennsylvania Resources Council, for its tailgate recycling program; and the Vanguard Group, for its alternative-commute program for employees.
See all recipients since 2014 at 2017 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.